October 22, 2001

Lead Poisoning Prevention

BINGHAMTON, NY - In recent years, great progress has been made in preventing lead exposure, but don't be lulled into thinking that lead poisoning is no longer a concern to you and your family.

Since the mid-1970s, the amount of lead released into the environment has been greatly reduced, due to restrictions on gasoline, house paint and plumbing solder, but people may still be exposed to lead in the food they eat, the air they breathe and the water they drink.

"You can't taste it or see it, but you could be exposed to lead through the drinking water from your home. Since natural levels of lead in New York State water supplies are low, lead in drinking water usually results from the use of lead pipes in water systems, lead-based solder on water pipes or water faucets which may contain some lead. This is more likely if you live in an older home, built before restrictions were imposed on the use of lead in plumbing," said Claudia Edwards, Acting Public Health Director of the Broome County Health Department.

Lead can be harmful to your health and cause problems when it builds up in the body. Too much lead can cause serious damage to the brain, nervous system and red blood cells.

Pregnant women and young children, especially those between six months and six years old, are at the greatest risk, even if they are only exposed to a small amount of lead for a short period of time.

Lead can get into drinking water when corrosive water dissolves lead from lead pipes or soldered pipe joints. Soft, or corrosive or acidic (low pH) water is more likely to cause lead to get into the water.

The longer water stands in pipes, the greater the possibility of lead being dissolved into the water. Also pipes that carry drinking water from the main distribution lines in the street to residences can contribute lead to the drinking water, if the pipes were constructed using lead materials.

"In most cases, the risk of lead in drinking water can be reduced by following a few simple precautions," Ms. Edwards said.

She recommends the following steps to help protect your family against lead in drinking water:

• Run the tap until water is cold before using it for drinking or cooking. This is especially important after the water has been standing in the pipes overnight.
• Use only water from the cold water tap for cooking, drinking or making a baby's formula. Hot water picks up more lead from pipes and solder.
• Check household plumbing for lead-based pipes or solder.
• Use only lead-free materials in all plumbing repairs or new faucets and pipes.

"If you suspect there is lead in your drinking water, you can have it tested by a certified commercial laboratory. The cost ranges from $15 to $50 per sample," Ms. Edwards said.

Although the sale of lead-based paint was banned during the 1970's, homes built before the 1970's usually contain lead-based paint. If the paint is in good repair, this may not be a problem. But, once you start removing the paint, the dust and chips can pose a real threat of lead poisoning, especially for children and pregnant women. Learn how you can get the job done while protecting yourself and your family from lead poisoning.

A New York State regulation calls for universal screening of all children at or about ages one and two for blood lead levels. Pregnant women should also ask their physicians about blood lead testing.

For more information about water testing, and safely removing lead-based paint call the New York State Health Department's Bureau of Public Water Supply Protection toll-free at 1.800.458.1158, extension 6731. If you have questions about lead poisoning prevention and education, call the Broome County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health at 607.778.2887.

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