Water suppliers must routinely test household tap water to check lead levels. If lead levels in the water are above the EPA action level and can not be quickly corrected, the water supplier is required to notify homeowners and take steps to reduce lead levels in the drinking water.
In past, whether you have been informed or not informed about the risks of lead poisoning, but now there is a rule change effective December 10 that will require water utility companies to test the quantity of lead more stringently and promptly and thoroughly inform consumers of any problems, the Environmental Protection Agency announced. This came after it was revealed in 2004 that lead levels in Washington, D.C.’s, water supply were intolerably high and that consumers had not been promptly informed.
High-level quantity of lead can cause many health hazards for both children and adults. In children, too-high levels can delay mental and physical development and cause a host of health problems, including reduced IQ, attention deficit disorder, and hearing loss. Adults can end up with high blood pressure and kidney problems as a result of too much lead in their system.
It is revealed that most exposure comes from swallowing or breathing in paint chips or dust, but the EPA estimates that about 10 percent to 20 percent comes from drinking water; in formula-fed infants, the figure is 40 to 60 percent.
Since regulators have phased lead out of gasoline and other products since the 1980s, the severity of the exposure problem has dropped dramatically. In 1978, for example, 13.5 million children had elevated blood levels; in 2002, the number had dropped to 310,000.
But now many scientists argue that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s current threshold of concern—10 micrograms per deciliter of blood—is too high. They worry that any level of lead exposure is harmful.
In July of 1991, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established an action level for lead in public drinking water at 15 micrograms per liter, which is the same as 15 parts per billion (ppb).
Water suppliers must routinely test household tap water to check lead levels. If lead levels in the water are above the EPA action level and can not be quickly corrected, the water supplier is required to notify homeowners and take steps to reduce lead levels in the drinking water.
For the more information you can visit site http://www.cleansewater.com
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
Comments
#1 Lead in Drinking Water
With the new EPA max. levels of Lead in drinking water many home owners are;
1) Not aware there is even a problem yet. This is a real concern since the water source for Drinking Water has not changed, the EPA standards have changed. So, with that said you LEAD levels have probably been above the new standards for some time now. If you're living in a home that was built pre 1985 you could be at risk of lead in your drinking water.
2)Not aware of what they can do about the problem of lead in their drinking water. Most city water treatment centers do not have the funding to update there water supply lines or you may not have the funds to update the water lines in your house. So the next option for the home owner is first have you water tested. Second find a filter/puficiation system that is NSF certified. http://filterwaterdirect.com has success a system. This UV & Carbon purification system is currently the only system to carry 3 of NSF standard and is certified to remove 99.8% of lead. NO other system can make the claim.
The future of older construction and new EPA standards will begin to surface more issues with Lead in your Drinking Water.
We strongly recommend you get your water tested and to purchase some form of filter/purification system.
Filter Water Direct is in business to help you have CLEAN HEATHLY DRINKING WATER.