Safety and Impacts of Lead-Contaminated Water
By: Tyneisha Bradley, Fellow, M.S.P.H. Environmental Health Sciences Candidate at Tulane University
Sources of Lead in Drinking Water. Environmental Protection Agency.
How does lead contaminate water?
Water becomes contaminated with lead through pipes that are made of lead or have lead solder. Interior faucets and plumbing fixtures are also responsible for lead contamination. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set the maximum contaminant level goal for lead in drinking water at zero, meaning there is no safe level of lead in drinking water regardless of route of exposure.
Routes of Exposure:
Ingestion is the most common route of exposure and is most likely to lead to adverse health effects at low doses in children and developing fetuses. It can also cause harm to adults; however, adults generally require a larger dose of lead over an extended period of time to experience noticeable effects. Exposure through the skin is common for those who may wash their hands and bathe with lead-contaminated water; however, it is acceptable to wash and bathe with this water, according to the EPA and Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Impacts of Ingestion:
Clean Water Action: Minnesota Guide to Lead in Our Drinking Water and Lead Service Lines
Ingestion is the primary route of lead exposure and poses significant health risks, particularly to children and pregnant women. When lead is absorbed into the body, it travels through the blood and can impact the kidneys, liver, brain, bones, and teeth and disrupt the normal biological processes of our bodies. Lead poisoning occurs when lead builds up in the body over time. While anyone can be impacted, young children and pregnant individuals are most at risk. When ingested, children and developing fetuses can develop cognitive abnormalities that include learning disabilities, memory impairment, and behavioral issues , as lead impacts both the central and peripheral nervous systems (Ortega, 2021). Abdominal pain, irritability, weight loss, vomiting, fatigue, and seizures are common symptoms seen in children who have had severe exposure (NRDC, 2023).
Although lead exposure does not impact adults to the same degree as children, adults who are exposed can experience cardiovascular difficulties, reproductive health issues, memory and/or concentration issues, and joint and muscle pain (NRDC, 2023). Exposure in adults is sensitive for women who are of childbearing age or pregnant, due to the endocrine-disrupting properties of lead. Lead also has an impact on testosterone levels in men, which impacts their reproductive health as well.
Impacts of Skin Exposure:
Evidence suggests that there is no impact of lead in water on skin. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, human skin does not absorb lead in water. Therefore, it is safe to use lead-contaminated water for handwashing and bathing.
Case Study: Flint, Michigan
The Flint, Michigan water crisis began in 2014, when city officials transferred their drinking water source from the Detroit Water Authority to the Flint Water System for cost-effectiveness.
Proper treatment and testing were not done on the water, so there were significant water quality issues arising.
As residents filed complaints with concerns about the color of the water, smell, and taste, they were ignored by local and government officials.
This continued for 18 months, leaving residents with hair loss, skin rashes, and itchy skin.
It wasn’t until December 14th, 2015, that the lead contamination in the Flint Water System was declared a state of emergency by the mayor.
In January of 2016, the CDC came in to assist the City of Flint and State of Michigan in creating a plan that would assist with response and recovery.
Due to community activism and the efforts of local doctors, scientists, and journalists, the city was able to gain national attention on the issue and be provided with the proper resources to fix it.
Studies revealed that the water contamination doubled the incidence of increased blood lead levels in children in the city.
Ultimately, the crisis led to Congress authorizing funding through the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act of 2016.
This allowed the CDC to create a voluntary registry of those exposed to lead in Flint, Michigan.
“Between April 25, 2014, and October 15, 2015, approximately 99,000 residents in Flint, Michigan were exposed to lead in their drinking water.”
Ways to Protect Yourself and Recommendations
Sources of Lead in Drinking Water. Environmental Protection Agency.
It is important to contact city officials or legislators if you experience lead exposure in your drinking water, as there are many testing programs and mitigation strategies available to community members from the city and state.
Use water filters. Water filters are the best way to protect yourself from lead-contaminated water.
Test your water. It is also good to test your water regularly if you suspect there is lead contamination. Knowing if there is lead in your drinking water will allow you to proceed with caution and implement any mitigation strategies.
Use cold water. Using cold tap water for drinking is also a safer practice if you do not have access to a filter, because colder water contains fewer levels of lead. Boiling water will not remove lead from water; it will only concentrate the lead in the water, essentially making the exposure level greater.
Flush your tap before using. Flushing water from the tap by allowing water to run for at least 5 minutes when the tap water hasn’t been used for hours will also help.
Maintain fixtures. Maintaining fixtures such as faucets will also help to decrease exposure because lead and sediment tend to collect in the faucet aerator.
Resources
TWC Policy Brief: Navigating the Changes: Lead and Copper Rule
TWC Infographic: Lead and Copper Rule (LCR)
Visit SWBNO’s Lead Awareness page to learn more about mitigating lead impacts.
The Sewerage and Water Board will provide free lead testing for any New Orleans residence. You do not need to own your home or receive a SWBNO bill to get a free testing kit.
Here’s how to request a free testing kit:
Contact SWBNO’s Lab at (504) 865-0420 or waterinfo@swbno.org.
A test kit with instructions will be mailed to your address. Kits are delivered by USPS, and return postage is provided. A signature is not required for delivery.
Results from lead testing may take approximately six to eight weeks. All results are provided by mail. If your results are above the EPA’s action level, you will also receive notification by phone or email.