the hazards of lead: known and becoming known
Although lead has long been recognized as poisonous at high dosages, recent studies have shown it is also damaging at even lower levels than previously believed. As a result, lead exposure levels considered acceptable in the past have now been lowered. While some effects of lead poisoning may diminish if exposure is reduced, others are irreversible. An amount of lead which would have little effect on an adult can greatly affect a child. Also, growing children more rapidly absorb any lead consumed. A child's mental and physical development can be irreversibly stunted by lead.
SOURCES: Drinking Water & Food
The contaminants in drinking water are quite varied and may cause a range of diseases in children, including acute diseases such as gastrointestinal illness, developmental effects such as learning disorders, and cancer. Children are particularly sensitive to microbial contaminants because their immune systems are less developed than those of most adults. Children are sensitive to lead, which affects brain development, and to nitrates and nitrites, which can cause methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome). Fertilizer, livestock manure, and human sewage are significant contributors of nitrates and nitrites in groundwater sources used for drinking water.
Be Informed
Lead is a naturally occurring bluish-gray metal found in small amounts on the earth’s outer layer. Lead can be found in all parts of our environment. Much of it comes from human activities including burning fossil fuels, mining, and manufacturing. Lead is found in many different materials. Batteries, ammunition, metal products such as solder and pipes, and devices to shield X-rays all contain lead. Because of health concerns, the amount of lead found in gasoline, paints and ceramic products, caulking, and pipe solder has been reduced in recent years. As a result, the amount of lead in our blood now is much less than it was 30 years ago. EPA estimates that drinking water can make up 20 percent or more of a person’s total exposure to lead. By far the most significant source is lead water pipes or lead solder in plumbing systems. Lead is most easily released into water that is "soft" and/or acidic. However, any water can leach lead from pipes, especially water that is hot or sits in pipes overnight. It is estimated that lead in drinking water contributes between 10%-20% of total lead exposure in young children. Foods prepared in kitchens with lead pipes or lead-soldered plumbing may contain even higher concentrations from cooking that uses hot tap water, thereby increasing the risk at schools, hospitals, and public restaurants. Food is the greatest single source of lead exposure for the average adult.
Local Children at Risk
More than 114,500 preschool children in the San Francisco Bay Area may have lead in their bloodstream's exceeding safe levels set by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to a study released on March 5th, 1990.The report, prepared by the Environmental Defense Fund, echoed the results of scientific studies & said that moderately elevated levels of lead in young children can result in reading disabilities, impaired concentration & higher drop out rates.
Lead Threat to Young Children
As reported to Congress on July 18, 1988:
"Three to four million children in the United States are exposed to unhealthy levels of lead." The report also stated that, "Exposure to lead continues to be a serious potential health problem, particularly for the young child & the fetus."
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 457
SOURCES: Drinking Water & Food
The contaminants in drinking water are quite varied and may cause a range of diseases in children, including acute diseases such as gastrointestinal illness, developmental effects such as learning disorders, and cancer. Children are particularly sensitive to microbial contaminants because their immune systems are less developed than those of most adults. Children are sensitive to lead, which affects brain development, and to nitrates and nitrites, which can cause methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome). Fertilizer, livestock manure, and human sewage are significant contributors of nitrates and nitrites in groundwater sources used for drinking water.
Be Informed
Lead is a naturally occurring bluish-gray metal found in small amounts on the earth’s outer layer. Lead can be found in all parts of our environment. Much of it comes from human activities including burning fossil fuels, mining, and manufacturing. Lead is found in many different materials. Batteries, ammunition, metal products such as solder and pipes, and devices to shield X-rays all contain lead. Because of health concerns, the amount of lead found in gasoline, paints and ceramic products, caulking, and pipe solder has been reduced in recent years. As a result, the amount of lead in our blood now is much less than it was 30 years ago. EPA estimates that drinking water can make up 20 percent or more of a person’s total exposure to lead. By far the most significant source is lead water pipes or lead solder in plumbing systems. Lead is most easily released into water that is "soft" and/or acidic. However, any water can leach lead from pipes, especially water that is hot or sits in pipes overnight. It is estimated that lead in drinking water contributes between 10%-20% of total lead exposure in young children. Foods prepared in kitchens with lead pipes or lead-soldered plumbing may contain even higher concentrations from cooking that uses hot tap water, thereby increasing the risk at schools, hospitals, and public restaurants. Food is the greatest single source of lead exposure for the average adult.
Local Children at Risk
More than 114,500 preschool children in the San Francisco Bay Area may have lead in their bloodstream's exceeding safe levels set by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to a study released on March 5th, 1990.The report, prepared by the Environmental Defense Fund, echoed the results of scientific studies & said that moderately elevated levels of lead in young children can result in reading disabilities, impaired concentration & higher drop out rates.
Lead Threat to Young Children
As reported to Congress on July 18, 1988:
"Three to four million children in the United States are exposed to unhealthy levels of lead." The report also stated that, "Exposure to lead continues to be a serious potential health problem, particularly for the young child & the fetus."
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 457
- Whereas lead poisoning is a leading environmental health hazard to children in the United States;
- Whereas according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 434,000 preschool children in the United States have harmful levels of lead in their blood;
- Whereas lead poisoning may cause serious, long-term harm to children, including reduced intelligence and attention span, behavior problems, learning disabilities, and impaired growth;
- Whereas children from low-income families are 8 times more likely to be poisoned by lead than are children from high-income families;
- Whereas children may be poisoned by lead in water, soil, or consumable products;
- Whereas children most often are poisoned in their homes through exposure to lead particles when lead-based paint deteriorates or is disturbed during home renovation and repainting; and
- Whereas lead poisoning crosses all barriers of race, income, and geography...
The EPA comments that consumption of drinking water in the home is the most common source of exposure to toxic levels of lead...
- The EPA page on Lead (opens new page)
- "Lead in Drinking Water" from the Washington Post (circa 2004)
