Lead and Drinking Water

Lead In Drinking Water

Lead is a naturally occurring element present in the earth 's crust . It is one of the most harmful environmental pollutants . It has become difficult to control because of its wide usage . Over the years it is being used in gasoline , house paint and plumbing fixtures . Lead shows adverse effects when it builds up in the body . There are many ways in which humans are exposed to lead : through deteriorating paint , household dust , bare soil , air , drinking water , food , ceramics , home remedies hair dyes and other cosmetics . Much

of this lead is of microscopic size invisible to the naked eye . In 1978 , the federal government banned lead-based paint from housing . Though the amount of lead that is released into the environment each year has been greatly reduced by less use of leaded gas , starting in the mid-70s . Laws forbidding use of lead in house paint (1978 ) and lead in plumbing solder (1986 ) have helped as well . Still , lead can be a problem , especially in older homes

As a highly toxic metal contaminant in drinking water , with public health threat lead received attention over the years . However , the old lead painted houses are the primary source of lead contamination . Water has a combination of things in it , when it reaches home for household purposes . According to U .S . Environmental Protection Agency (EPA , in the United States 1 out of every 11 children has a dangerous level of lead in the bloodstream . The elevated blood-lead levels can be due to the drinking water contaminated with lead , in spite of water being the rare primary source . Although there is no "safe " level of lead in water the EPA has estimated that on average up to 20 of a child 's exposure can potentially be attributed to lead-contaminated water . Lead poisoning is dangerous for anyone of any age , but children are particularly vulnerable because of the effects of lead poisoning on development . According to EPA , lead dosage that would have little effect on an adult can harm a small child . Lead in drinking water can be a problem for infants whose diet consists of liquids-such as baby formula and juices mixed with water . Lead can be easily and more rapidly absorbed by children compared to the adults

Lead can cause a variety of adverse health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the action level even for relatively short periods of time . The effects are the same whether it is breathed or swallowed . Very low levels of lead poisoning can cause reduced IQs learning disabilities and behavioral problems such as hypertension and reduced attention span in children , and often these effects are life long and irreversible . Pregnant women and young children are at the greatest risk even with short-term , low level exposures . Overexposure to lead over time can have severe health effects that can last a lifetime Lead poisoning can cause damage to brain , kidneys , nervous system , and red blood cells . Children 's brains and nervous systems...