What can you do to reduce lead levels in your drinking water?
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Don't boil the water! Boiling water does not remove lead, and it may actually increase the concentration due to evaporation.
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Flush your water pipes by letting the water run for 30-60 seconds before using it for drinking, cooking or making baby formula. Let the water run until it feels noticeably colder, or use it to do household tasks like showering, doing dishes, or collecting water for cleaning or watering plants.
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Use only cold water for cooking, drinking, or baby formula. Hot water can contain more lead. If you need hot water, use the microwave, a water-heating device, or the stovetop.
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Clean your faucet's aerator. This is the screen inside the water faucet that collects sediment, debris, and lead particles.
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Use a water filter that is
certified to filter and remove lead. Read the directions for proper installation and use, and replace the filter once it has expired. Never run hot water through the filter.
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Test your water for lead by an
accredited laboratory. Use the filter to find labs that accept public water samples. Search for "lead" by clicking on the Analyte radio button.
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Identify plumbing fixtures or components that may contain lead, such as copper piping with lead solder, and brass faucets, fittings and valves. Replace these with new,
lead-free certified plumbing components. Homes built before 1986 are at higher risk because they are more likely to contain these kinds of plumbing components. Lead can also be found in faucets and fixtures sold prior to 2014, even if they were labeled as “lead-free."
When does lead in drinking water become a health concern?
There is no safe level of lead exposure. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a goal for
maximum contaminant levels for lead in drinking water at zero because lead can be harmful to human health even at low exposure levels. Exposure to lead is a health hazard for people of all ages and can accumulate in the body over time. Infants, children, and developing fetuses are particularly susceptible to the health effects of lead because their nervous systems are still developing. Lead can cause a range of health effects, including:
- Delays in children's physical or mental development
- Decreased IQ in children
- Damage to the central and peripheral nervous system
- Kidney problems
- Increased blood pressure and incidence of hypertension
- Increased risk of cancer
How can I find out how much lead is in my drinking water?
Public water systems must monitor lead levels and act to reduce levels if more than 10% of higher-risk homes have sample results above 15 parts per billion (ppb). Public water system monitoring results are available on the Oregon Drinking Water Services
Data Online
website. You may also contact your drinking water provider
or visit their website to view their water quality report. This might also be called a Consumer Confidence Report.
You can also have your water tested for lead. Make sure to use an
accredited lab that accepts public water samples. Some public water systems can test your water at no cost to you. Check their website for more information. How can I test my child for lead exposure?
If you are concerned about your child's lead exposure, call your medical provider,
local public health authority, or the Oregon Health Authority's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 971-673-0440 to find out how to have your child tested.