Certain minerals are naturally found in water, but if you have too much lead in your water, it's a problem. Ingesting lead is problematic for adults. It's also a huge concern for kids, who can suffer developmentally if they're exposed to too much lead. Find out how to combat lead in your water and restore its natural health.
Lead has been found in old paint and dust, and it was also used in household plumbing systems manufactured prior to 1986. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as these systems age and corrode, lead makes its way into a household's water supply. Brass and chrome-plated fixtures also leach lead over time.
Danger
Lead doesn't belong in water. When it's consumed in excess, it can cause high blood pressure in adults as well as kidney problems. It can also cause mental and physical delays in children's development along with problems with attention span, hearing, and learning deficits. To make matters worse, even low levels of exposure to lead can cause health problems.
Testing
If there's any good news about lead, it's that the government has established regulations for testing local water sources. Your water supplier should be collecting samples and testing them. If the level of lead in your water is high, they'll let you know.
You might also want to take matters into your own hands. According to the EPA, most lead exposure comes from the pipes and fixtures in the home, not from the local water supply. They have identified certain factors to help people learn whether they're at risk.
- You have brass faucets or fittings in your home.
- Your home's plumbing pipes are made of lead.
- The system has copper pipes, and it also has soft water, has water that stays idle in the pipes for long periods, or is part of a new construction.
You can have a professional test your water for lead. All you typically need to do is hire a plumber or laboratory, and then collect a sample for testing.
Fixing the Problem
You can send a water sample to a laboratory and find out if there's lead in your water, but a lab can't help you locate the source of the problem and fix it. That's why it's important to work with a reputable plumber. Your plumber can help identify problematic fixtures or pipes and replace them.
You can help flush lead from water before drinking it, cooking with it, or mixing baby formula with it. Let the water run before you use it, and always use cold water—not hot.
For answers to your questions, contact the Pink Plumber today.
