1-800-455-2201, (225) 647-2171,Division of Picou Builders Supply
Net Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Central TimeContact
& Address
1-800-455-2201, (225) 647-2171,Division of Picou Builders Supply
Net Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Central TimeContact
& Address
Lead
People, and children in particular, are at risk if they ingest lead
... especially if they are six or younger. Even low lead levels are
reported to cause the following types of problems: poor mental performance,
low weight at birth, interference with the metabolism of Vitamin D,
delayed growth and neurological development, and poor attention span.
Dr. Sue Binder, chief of the lead poisoning branch at the Centers of
Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia, reports, "We see decreased
intelligence, hearing problems and smaller stature as a result of lead
exposure. Binder says that even moderate levels of exposure can interfere
with the ability to pay attention and may play an important role in
learning disorders and antisocial behavior. According to some national
health experts over 60 million homes are potential lead hazards due
to lead-based paints which may disintegrate into dust. Parents in older
homes should take steps to clean toys often. Children should be trained
to clean their hands before eating and put only food and water into
their mouths.
Drinking water may be even more hazardous than the paint dust. The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) reports that lead in drinking water contributes
to about 20% of the total lead exposure for the average citizen. The
EPA has also reported that more than 85% of the blood lead detected
in bottle-fed infants comes from drinking formula made with lead-bearing
water. A Scottish study concluded that the soluble lead levels in water
were significantly higher in the home, and in the blood, of retarded
children compared to the blood of healthy children.
The EPA has established an 'action' threshold level of 15 parts per
billion (ppb), that is, if your drinking water tests at levels exceeding
15 ppb actions should be taken to reduce the levels. This very low threshold
shows how toxic lead really is. The problem is compounded by the fact
that our senses cannot detect lead at this level . . . you can't smell,
taste, or see the lead.
The good news is that the waters in lakes and streams normally do not
contain lead. The bad news is that the water distribution system-water
mains, service lines, household copper pipe's which have been joined
with lead-based solder, and some faucets, may be made, in part, with
lead alloys. Homes built before 1930 are likely to have lead pipes.
Between 1930 and 1986, most of the homes built used copper pipe and
are likely to have lead-solder joints. In 1986, Congress banned the
use of solder containing more than 0.2% lead and also set a limit of
8% lead in all faucets, piping, and pipe fittings.
Since you can't detect lead in drinking water by sight, smell, or taste,
the only way to be sure that your drinking and cooking water does not
exceed the action threshold is to test it. Until your water has been
tested, there are some actions that you can take to reduce the risk
of ingesting toxic levels of lead. Because the lead content in your
drinking water increases with the amount of time that it spends in contact
with lead (lead which may be in the pipes, fittings, and/or faucets)
lead content is highest in water that's first drawn in the morning.
By simply allowing the water to run for a few minutes, the high-lead
content water in the lines will be flushed out. It's also a good idea
to use only cold water for cooking purposes. The higher the temperature
of the water, the higher the rate at which lead leaches into the water.
