Very often, lead can be found in tap water. Especially when the water is hot. Where does it come from? Often, it comes from the plumbing in and around the house. In 1986, the use of lead pipes was banned in the United States. Before that, they were often used as water pipes. Lead solder was also used. When water, especially hot water, goes through the pipes, this lead corrodes. Then, it gets into the water and eventually makes its way into peoples bodies. If you live in Chicago, the lead in the water is not from the water source. Chicago water is lead free. Because of this corrosion, Chicago drinking water has a corrosion inhibitor added to it. This is to coat the inside of water pipes, so that they will stop corroding, putting lead in the water.
Who does lead poisoning affect, what is lead poisoning, and will lead in drinking water cause it? Lead poisoning should be worried about the most in young children. Especially those from 0 to 3 years old. But lead poisoning is a concern for children up to the age of 6. There are two reasons for this, the first being because their brains are developing at a much faster pace than anyone else’s. Secondly, young children are the ones who are the most likely to put lead dust or soil containing lead dust in their mouths. Lead poisoning is caused by the presence of too much lead in the body. Lead can get into the body by inhaling it or eating something containing lead. It prevents proper brain development. Lead poisoning harms the nervous system. It can cause attention problems, learning difficulties, speech & language problems, reduced IQ, and failure at school. Water with lead does cause lead poisoning. This is because lead poisoning is caused by too much lead in the body, and drinking water containing lead puts lead in the body.
How can you find out if your child has lead poisoning? As usually the child does not look or act unusual, the only thing you can do is have your child get a simple blood test. If you live in Chicago, your child should be tested for lead. Chicago has many old homes which contain lead pipes. Children should be tested at 12, 24, and 36 months of age. These tests should be done by your regular health provider. If you do not have a regular health provider, and have a medical card which is a part of the Medicaid Program, you are already assigned to a health provider.
How can this be prevented? Although Chicago drinking water has a corrosion inhibitor added, if you haven’t used the water for 6 hours or more, you should run the water until the pipes are clear. This can be done by running the tap for at least 5 minutes, flushing toilets, taking a shower, or doing laundry. Always, always use cold water, as it doesn’t corrode the lead as much as hot does. Boiling water does not remove the lead. You could also consider purchasing and installing a filter that is certified to remove lead. Eating healthy foods, especially ones containing lots of calcium, iron, and Vitamin C helps keep lead out of the body. Calcium can be found in milk, cheese, yogurt, and leafy green vegetables like spinach. Iron can be found in red meats, beans, peanut butter, and cereals. And Vitamin C can be found in oranges, red and green peppers, and juice.
