Lead-based paints were utilized in homes for many decades before lead was found to be an extremely dangerous substance. Before it was found to be so dangerous, it was also used in the pipes of many homes. The amount of lead in homes eventually lead to many health problems across the US, and after many epidemiological studies and research were done, the source of these health problems was traced back to lead. Even after lead was found out to be a dangerous metal that caused a multitude of health problems, including brain and nerve damage, people were still being exposed to the deadly metal. This was through the old lead paint that was used in their homes, and the lead pipes that many cities used for their water supply. Both of these factors contributed to the lead problems we still have today in America. According to the CDC, around half a million Americans currently have dangerously high levels of lead in their bloodstream.
Denver Water is currently taking steps to lessen the amount of lead poisoning in their area through a new project that they will undertake. This public agency is undergoing a project to remove the lead pipes across homes and under the streets of the Denver metro area. This is an incredibly important project to undertake, as lead is an extremely dangerous metal. As lead pipes start to erode, the lead that was used to make them will start to enter the water supply and will be ingested by anyone drinking the water. The project will take a long time to complete, however, with the end goal of removing the lead pipes being 2035. Denver Water will be working with federal and state agencies to develop a plan on how exactly to safely and conveniently remove all of the lead piping in the area.
Although this will be a tough task, it’s important for cities to start taking control over the amount of lead that is in their water supply.
