Lead

What is It?

-Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal in the environment.

-Lead waste in the environment is a result of its many former industrial uses in society.

Why is it in the environment?

-Lead occurs in drinking water mainly from the corrosion of plumbing materials in the water distribution system.

-Most municipal water systems still use lead piping in parts of their water discharge system.

How does it affect water quality?

-The amount of lead in drinking water depends heavily on the corrosivity of the water.

-Corrosivity of water is influenced by: pH, alkalinity, dissolved inorganic carbonate, calcium and hardness.

How does it affect adults?

-At low levels of exposure, these effects may include interference with red blood cell chemistry and increased in blood pressure.

-Chronic exposure to lead has been linked to vascular and kidney disease in humans.

How does it affect children?

-Delays normal physical and mental development in children.

-Deficits in the attention span, hearing, and learning abilities of children may develop.

-Lead changes the levels of certain blood enzymes in the body and in neurological development at blood lead levels so low as to be essentially without a threshold.

What are the EPA regulations?

MCL: zero