on 02/12/2001 4:40 PM, Automatic digest processor at
[log in to unmask] wrote:

>
>> I keep looking for references to lead in water; brain damage from lead; how
>> much it takes to cause this problem; how much is in the water so I can run
>> the numbers. All references I've found so far relate to lead-based paints.
>> Haven't found anything that gives a measurable range to cause damage. Any
>> mention of lead in water doesn't have the numbers to go with it, so far.
>
> There are companies that will measure the lead (and other things) in your
> water if you send them a sample. I wonder if they have any info on lead
> in water in different areas.

The US Environmental Protection Agency recommends using only cold water for
cooking and preparing juices and baby formula as hot water leeches more lead
and other chemicals out of pipes. It also recommends letting tap water run
until all the standing water clears the pipes - until it's as cold as it
gets:

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/Pubs/lead1.html

Health Canada and many provincial and civic drinking water guidelines call
for flushing water lines before using water for drinking. Thirty seconds or
so is all it takes for a modern home (built after 1989) where you're mostly
concerned about flushing copper - up to five minutes in an older home built
before the '50s where lead may have been used to connect the home's water
service.

I became aware of this after watching one of our national consumer
protection shows (can't remember if it was Marketplace or W5) where tap
water tested was significantly above Health Canada's allowable levels. The
producers noted that normally testers use flushed samples to determine if
drinking water has safe levels of lead, and this flushing period is a
minimum of five minutes. They tested water that poured immediately out of
the tap. Most consumers interviewed on the show had no idea they were
supposed to wait until their house water pipes had "flushed" before drinking
the water.

-- Jodine Chase

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