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First Things First: What, Exactly, Is Lead?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), lead is a chemical element found . It exists in most parts of our environment 鈥� soil, air, and water. And, as the world has come to know all too well, lead is one heavy metal that can affect any human鈥檚 health and well-being.
Thanks to set in the 1980s, you can no longer buy products like lead-based paint and leaded gasoline. Yet, lead can still enter the environment in multiple ways. Industrial sources and contaminated areas - as stated in this article鈥檚 opening source - can increase the concentration of lead in nearby air and soil.
Causes of Lead in Water
In 2014, reporters discovered in the drinking water of Flint, Michigan. Since then, the government has replaced 85% of the pipes in Flint and inspected more than 25,000 service lines.聽A recent study by the found more than 56% of the population鈥檚 drinking water systems had detectable levels of lead.
Which begs the question: how does this happen? How does lead get into the water supply in the first place?
Well, service pipes that contain lead are a major piece of the puzzle, but so is the process of corrosion. Corrosion is a natural process that occurs between water and to your home, according to a journal article published by the American Water Works Association. It鈥檚 a chemical reaction that dissolves and wears away the metal in the pipes. Water typically does not leave the treatment facility contaminated with lead; this occurs in transit before the water reaches your tap if the pipes serving your home have lead in their construction.
According to the EPA, many factors can increase the getting into your drinking water. These factors include:
- High acidity levels in the water
- Low mineral content in the water
- A lack of protective coating or scales in your plumbing
- Pipes that already exhibit a high amount of wear
- High water temperature
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Water quality is non-negotiable. To prove it, we've built state-of-the-art water quality labs and filled them with the best and brightest scientists 鈥� all so we can provide you with the best water of your life.
If you live in an older home, you could have lead piping contributing to the problem. The EPA states that it is less likely that your home contains lead fixtures, solder, or pipes if your home was built .
However, your exposure will vary based on the service lines in your area. 1, lead service lines still service as many as , which is the cause of the problem in the first place.
Effects of Lead in Drinking Water
Lead is harmful even in small doses, as the EPA attests. The EPA has set the for lead in drinking water at zero. This means that there is no amount of lead, no matter how small, that鈥檚 safe for human consumption.
How to Test Your Water for Lead
The EPA鈥檚 Public Notification Rule requires that your local public water system notify you in your drinking water. If you get your water from a private well, you are responsible for maintaining your water鈥檚 cleanliness and testing it. The EPA does not regulate privately-owned wells.
If you believe the drinking water in your home may contain lead, we recommend that you conduct a water test at home. There are many options available for water testing in your home.
Remember, any amount of lead in your water is cause for concern. After reading your water quality analysis report, it鈥檚 best to contact the lab that conducted the testing if you have any questions.
What's in your water?
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How to Filter Lead From Water
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends , such as a corroded pipe, to address the issue鈥檚 cause.
In places where this process will take years to complete, the CDC points out that homeowners may wish to consider designed to reduce harmful contaminants like lead from the water supply.
Water filtration systems that use reverse osmosis or have a whole house lead filter may be able to effectively reduce the amount of lead in contaminated water. The water filtration system you choose will change based on whether the lead is entering your water from pipes in your home or pipes from the city en route to your home. You will need a point-of-entry (POE) system to treat water tainted with lead from distribution pipes, and a point-of-use (POU) system if the pipes in your own home contain lead.
If you're concerned about lead, see the systems below, or talk to a professional.
Water Filters that can Address Lead
If you determine that you need a water filter to address lead, consider one of these options:
- FreshPoint GRO-575 Five-Stage Reverse Osmosis System - This system delivers worry-free water in a snap. Our unique "click and enjoy" design simplifies cartridge exchange with technology certified to reduce 98.6% of lead. The GRO-575 is a five-stage reverse osmosis system that reduces more than 90% of all contaminants and impurities found in water.
- FreshPoint Easy Flow Under Counter Filtration System -聽This system offers a quick DIY installation and filter replacement. This handy, dandy under counter sensation turns your home's water into a source of "wow!"
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1 Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). 2019. Grading the nation: State disclosure policies for lead pipes. Retrieved from https://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/content/LSL-State-Disclosure-Report-Update0319.pdf