Title of Article: Lead in DRinking Water
Author: United States Environmental Protection Agency
Date Last Updated: October 4, 2011
Link to the Article: http://water.epa.gov/drink/info/lead/index.cfm
Link to Picture:http://www.freshwatersystems.com/s-289-lead-in-water.aspx
Lead is a substance that is commonly used in household plumbing and water service lines. Lead is barely ever found in source water, but it does enter tap water through corrosion of plumbing materials. All homes are at risk of having lead in their water, but houses that were built before 1986 are the houses that are most likely to have lead pipes. The new houses are also at risk of having lead in their pipes. Even though these new houses are said to have "lead-free" plumbing, they still can have up to eight percent of lead in their plumbing. The most common way that lead is exposed to our drinking water is by the brass or chrome-plated brass faucets that allow an abundant amount of lead into the water. The problem with having lead in our water is that lead can cause many health effects. The health effects for babies and children that drink above the action level of lead are having delays in their mental and physical development. The effects for adults that drink above the action level of lead are having an increse in blood pressure. Adults that drink the water for many years can accumulate kidney problems.
I do not have a strong opinion on this topic. Since that there is only up to 8 percent of lead in house pipes, it should not be a big concern for people. If the percentage of lead in house pipes increases rapidly, then we should have a concern. I have been drinking my tap water for 14 years and I have never experienced life threatening effects. Also, my house is a newer house, therefore the percentage of lead in my tap water is lower than the percentage of tap water in a house that was built before 1986.
Questions:
- Do you think the percentage of lead in the pipes will increase over the years to come?
- Are you concerned if the pipes in your house contain lead?
- Do you think there is anything we can do to limit the amount of lead in our tap water?
By: TAYLOR SOLTYS
I stronlgy agree with Tayloron this issue! People really need to be aware of lead in their water. This is a serious problem that needs to be monitored. I hope i don't have lead in my water.
ReplyDeleteI am deeply concerned about the pipes in my home containing lead, and I think people can contain lead in tap water by checking their pipes.
I agree that it should not be a big worry for new houses. Only 8 percent of pipes are lead, and pipes rarely corrode. People should not worry about having lead in their water if they have a new house. If you live in an older house, getting the water checked may be a good idea, though. i live in a house bulit in the 40's. I think we should probably make sure there is no lead in our water, but it is not a concern.
ReplyDeleteI am not concerned about having lead in my household. We have lived in the house for 9 years, and nobody has any major health problems. I would be very surprised if any lead was found in our water, because it would not be affacting us.