Effort is part of Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

This week is Lead Poisoning Prevention Week and officials from Aqua America are sharing advice on minimizing lead exposure in homes and lives.

Dr. Chris Crockett, the chief environmental official for the company, which serves nearly 3 million people in Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois, Texas, New Jersey, Indiana and Virginia, said exposure in homes comes primarily from lead paint, but that the company is working to ensure customers in older homes are safe.

Crockett said the issue has become especially prominent, following the water crisis in Flint, Michigan.

He said lead exposure in homes is mostly an issue due to the home’s plumbing and caused by things like lead soldering or old faucets.

He said the only place in the water system it could be an issue is with the service line, which runs from the main water line to a home’s water meter.

“A lot of homes built before 1955 used lead service pipes,” he said.

He said soldering could be an issue with indoor plumbing dating prior to 1988.

“Lead solder was not banned until 1986,” he said, adding that it took a few years for it to get off the market cycle out of people’s supplies.

He said faucets are something that should be checked.

“Especially older one, with brass,” he said. “They can contain 6 percent lead.”

He said to minimize exposure to lead and other items, homeowners should, once a month, unscrew the aerator on their faucets and dump out any material that may collect.

Crockett said the company controls the acidity of the water in the system, which reduces corrosivity.

He said this could be done by adjusting the PH with lime, or adding corrosivity-inhibiting chemicals to the water, which he said can coat the pipes.

If homeowners are concerned about lead in homes, or the service lines, he said they can contact the customer service representatives of the company, who can get them in touch with officials from the company who can do testing.

If a customer’s water shows elevated levels of lead, or if they are concerned about the potential of lead in their water, Crockett said the company has tips to minimize exposure.

Run your tap to flush out lead. If your water hasn’t been used for several hours, run water for at least 30 seconds or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before using it for drinking or cooking.

Use cold water to cook and prepare baby formula. Don’t boil water to reduce lead. Lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water won’t reduce lead.

• If you buy a water filter, make sure it’s approved to reduce lead. You can contact NSF International at 800.NSF.8010 or NSF.org to learn more about approved water filters.

• Be aware that brass faucets, fittings and valves — even those advertised as lead free — might contribute lead to drinking water. The law allows end-use fixtures, such as faucets, with wetted surfaces containing a maximum weighted average of 0.25 percent lead to be labeled as lead free.

• If you are concerned about exposure, contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get tested for lead.
Crockett said lead exposure has been reduced greatly in the United States, with the banning of lead in gasoline and paint.

He said those renovating older homes should talk with experts about the plumbing and paint within a home and how to remove it.