Some key facts on lead –
- Lead is a cumulative toxic element that affects multiple organs of our body and is particularly harmful to young children.
- Lead after being absorbed in the body is distributed to the brain, liver, kidney and bones. It has the ability to accumulate over time while stored in the teeth and bones. How much lead is absorbed is assessed through the measurement of lead in blood.
- If absorbed in bone during pregnancy lead is released into blood stream and becomes a source of exposure to the developing fetus.
- There is no minimum level of exposure to lead that is known to be without harmful effects.
- We can prevent the exposure of lead.
Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal found in the Earth’s crust. Its widely used in mining, smelting, manufacturing, and recycling activities which causes extensive environmental contamination. In some countries, lead is used as paint and as aviation fuel. Human exposure to lead causes significant public health problems in many parts of the world. Major consumption of lead is for the manufacture of lead-acid batteries for motor vehicles. Also, it is used in many other products, for example, stained glass, pigments, paints, solder, lead crystal glassware, ammunition, ceramic glazes, jewelry, toys, and some cosmetics and traditional medicines. Lead pipes are also used for supplying drinking water as well pipes joined with lead solder may contain lead.
Lead is particularly toxic for young children and they can suffer profound and permanent adverse health impacts. It is adverse particularly on the brain and nervous system development. Lead also causes long-term harm in adults, including an increased risk of high blood pressure and kidney damage. Exposure of pregnant women to high levels of lead can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and low birth weight.
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Health Effects of Lead in drinking water
It was believed by the ancient Romans and is agreed by the modern scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics that there is no safe level of lead exposure. Lead is toxic to everyone, however, fetuses, infants, and young children are more prone to lead poisoning because their brains and bodies are rapidly developing and more easily absorb lead than do those of older children and adults. At the same time, adults are also at risk, particularly from cardiovascular disease due to lead exposure. As levels increase, these harms become more severe. But why don’t our bodies refuse this toxic material?
The reason behind this is to the cells in our bodies, lead resembles the mineral calcium, which is a vital mineral for healthy brain development and function, strong bones and teeth, and a healthy cardiovascular system. So, our cell gives permission to carry it throughout the blood and cause problems in our bones, teeth, blood, liver, kidneys, and brain, disrupting normal biological function.
Symptoms of lead poisoning
High levels of lead exposure can be serious and life-threatening. In children, symptoms of severe lead poisoning include irritability, weight loss, abdominal pain, fatigue, vomiting, and seizures. Adults with lead poisoning can experience high blood pressure, joint and muscle pain, difficulty with memory or concentration, and harm to reproductive health.
Even moderate to low levels of lead exposure might cause subtle symptoms that can still produce serious harm like hearing loss, anemia, kidney impairment, hypertension, immune system dysfunction, and toxicity to the reproductive organs. Low levels of exposure can interfere with thought processes and lower children’s IQ and also cause attention and behavioral problems—all of which affect lifetime learning. Children with serious lead-related neurological impacts are less likely to graduate from high school and are more prone to delinquency, teen pregnancy, and mental illness like violent crime, and incarceration.
How to Reduce Your Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water
There are a number of ways to reduce exposure and remove lead in your tap water.
- Use only cold water for drinking. Warm or hot tap water is more likely to contain elevated levels of lead.
- Regularly clean your aerator.
- If you think boiling of lead water will remove lead that is incorrect. This may only concentrate the lead content and will make it worse.
- Flush out stagnant water from the pipes by running your faucet for a few minutes or more. In cities where lead found in areas provide extra care instructions through website.
- Use a water filter that is certified to remove lead. Look for filters that say they meet Standard 53. Certifying agencies include NSF International and the Water Quality Association (WQA).
In addition, you can use several common home water-treatment methods or products that can be purchased at major hardware stores like:
- Reverse osmosis: In this method an electrically charged membrane is used to separate water from dissolved solids which may include lead.
- Carbon filter: Activated carbon filters are used to attach lead particles on its surface. They come in three main categories: pitchers, under-the-sink, end-of-faucet.
- Water distillation system: We can turn water into steam through distillation. As the water vaporizes, and minerals and other solids (including lead) are left behind. The system collects the purified evaporated water.
Finally, it is essential to remove lead pipes. If it’s the main pipe that runs from the main source of water to your home and contains lead, it is the responsibility of both the utility and the homeowner to handle the situation. Homeowners should contact their water system to learn about how to remove the lead service line. However, if you find lead in the service line does not remove the pipe yourself. Instead, call an experienced or approved contractor to remove and replace the entire lead service line. After your service line is replaced filter water for at least 6 months because lead particles can adhere to your indoor plumbing for several months and can be released into your tap water.