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Lead in Drinking Water

Lead, a metal found in natural deposits, is commonly used in household plumbing materials and water service lines. The greatest exposure to lead is swallowing or breathing in lead paint chips and dust.

But lead in drinking water can also cause a variety of adverse health effects. In babies and children, exposure to lead in drinking water above the action level can result in delays in physical and mental development, along with slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. In adults, it can cause increases in blood pressure. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.

Lead is rarely found in source water, but enters tap water through corrosion of plumbing materials. Very old and poorly maintained homes may be more likely to have lead pipes, joints, and solder. However, new homes are also at risk: even legally “lead-free” pipes may contain up to 8 percent lead. These pipes can leave significant amounts of lead in the water for the first several months after their installation.

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Reference:
"Lead in Drinking Water," U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. July 2, 2004. <http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead/>.

What are the health effects of lead in drinking water?

The health effects of lead are most severe for infants and children. For infants and children, exposure to high levels of lead in drinking water can result in delays in physical or mental development. For adults, it can result in kidney problems or high blood pressure. Although the main sources of exposure to lead are ingesting paint chips and inhaling dust, EPA estimates that 10 to 20 percent of human exposure to lead may come from lead in drinking water. Infants who consume mostly mixed formula can receive 40 to 60 percent of their exposure to lead from drinking water. See Lead in Your Drinking Water: Actions You Can Take to Reduce Lead In Drinking Water.

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Reference:
"Lead in Drinking Water," U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
July 2, 2004. <http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead/leadfacts.html>.

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