Lead in Tap Water by Francine Chingcuanco LEAD WAS ONE OF THE MOST COMMONLY USED MATERIALS FOR PIPES IN THE PAST. HOWEVER, LEAD IS SOLUBLE IN WATER, AND THUS, CAN EASILY ENTER THE BODY WHEN IT DISSOLVES IN THE TAP WATER IN LEAD PIPES. LEAD IS VERY SLOWLY ELIMINATED FROM THE BODY. WHEN THE BODY IS EXPOSED TO A HIGHER AMOUNT THAN IT CAN GET RID OF, IT STORES THE LEAD IN ORGANS, BONES AND TEETH, WHICH LEADS TO LEAD POISONING. THIS CAUSES A VARIETY OF HEALTH PROBLEMS. (YAHOO! HEALTH). THIS ESSAY AIMS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE DANGERS OF LEAD IN TAP WATER.

Why should we be concerned?

Child drinking water out of the tap. (Obi-Akpere, E.) It is estimated that lead in drinking water contributes between 10%-20% of total lead exposure in young children (Zenergy Water). Child drinking water out of the tap. (Obi-Akpere, E.)

For Canada, the maximum acceptable concentration for lead in drinking water is 10 parts per billion (CBC News). Water with exaggerated amount of lead for dramatic purposes (Zenergy Water).

While lead has been banned from being used in pipes or pipe solders since 1986, many infrastructures built before that time still pose the problem of lead poisoning if the plumbing has yet to be replaced (CBC News). Victorian house constructed in 1875 still has its lead pipes (Waymark).

(Northfield Area Foundation). Many old pipes that have yet to be replaced are still being used. Just last year, the TDSB found 5 schools with excessive lead in the water fountains (CBC News). (Northfield Area Foundation).

So how does lead poisoning affect us?

Lead is especially harmful to children because their bodies are still developing. Exposure to lead can cause learning disabilities, hyperactivity, slowed growth, mental retardation, and hearing loss (Health Encyclopedia). This boy has a learning disability that causes him to write some of these numbers backwards (Health Encyclopedia).

Most lead gets stored in the bone and can cause problems like poor blood cell reproduction, which can consequently cause lack of oxygen in the body and lead to neurological problems. It can also prevent the absorption of other minerals like calcium, which is essential for bone & muscle strength, and the proper functioning of nerve & blood vessels (Kids Health). (a) Bones of a healthy child. (b) Bones of a child with lead poisoning. The area between the bones is much denser, which can cause of weak muscle strength (Medcyclopedia).

Child showing her missing teeth caused by lead poisoning. (Day Life) High levels of lead poisoning have also been noted to cause rapid tooth decay (Environmental Health Perspectives). Child showing her missing teeth caused by lead poisoning. (Day Life)

(For Parents by Parents). For pregnant women, lead exposure is especially dangerous during their third trimester because lead can cross the placenta and affect the unborn child (Mayo Clinic). (For Parents by Parents).

Prolonged exposure to high amounts of lead can cause extremely severe lead poisoning. It is unlikely for this to be caused by lead in drinking water in particular, but it is always a possibility. (Workshop of Horrors). A house painter affected by severe lead poisoning. Wasted muscles and wrist drop are tell-tale symptoms of lead poisoning (Workshop of horrors).

So what can we do to stop it?

Workmen installing replacing old lead pipes in Thames (Jamd). It will take years and cost millions to be able to replace all the old lead pipes with better alternatives. Despite the daunting task, many governments have been replacing old pipes for over a decade now (CBC News). It’s a process that’s far from over, but at least it’s a start. Workmen installing replacing old lead pipes in Thames (Jamd).

For the mean time, health experts suggest lowering the risk of lead intake through a variety of ways. They suggest running the faucet for at least a minute, especially if it hasn’t been used for awhile. This flushes out all the tap water that has accumulated a lot of lead over the time the water was just sitting. (Mayo Clinic) (Bellagio Homes Inc.)

Also, it is recommended not to use hot water from the tap, because it risks increasing the amount of lead that dissolves in the water. (Mayo Clinic) The higher temperature of hot water causes the lead in pipes to dissolve faster. (Water Inc.)

Conclusion The essay is about the damage that lead in tap water can cause, such as weak muscles and learning disabilities. It also talks about the possible ways of avoiding the problem, such as running the tap to flush out all the water with lead in it, and the current solutions thee are (i.e. replacement of pipes). I learned that lead in tap water is actually a very serious issue. Everybody talks about other chemicals in paint or medicine, but they tend to disregard just how much damage solutions in water can cause. I think people should be more aware and concern of this issue, considering the majority of society drinks large amounts of water everyday. During my research, I came across this article that was talking about how people would rather not replace their pipes due to the high costs it takes and I believe if they were just better educated on the matter, they would change their opinions. I am happy that the government is looking for ways to resolve the issue, but this is something everybody needs to be more aware of. It is not something that is going to be resolved anytime soon and thus, everyone should be more aware while the problem is still present.

Works Cited Part 1 of 2 Bellagio Homes. Retrieved December 13, 2008, from http://www.bellagiohomesinc.com. Cronan, K. (2006, June). Kids Health. Retrieved December 13, 2008, from http://kidshealth.org. Day Life. Retrieved December 13, 2008, from http://www.daylife.com. Excessive Lead Found in Water of 5 Toronto Schools (2007, October 12). CBC News. Retrieved December 13, 2008, from http://www.cbc.ca. For Parents by Parents. Retrieved December 13, 2008, from http://www.forparentsbyparents.com. Lead in Drinking Water (2001, March 27). CBC News. Retrieved December 13, 2008, from http://www.cbc.ca. Lead Poisoning (2006, July 26). Yahoo! Health. Retrieved December 13, 2008, from http://health.yahoo.com. Lead Poisoning (2006). Peace Health. Retrieved December 13, 2008, from http://www.peacehealth.org. Lead Poisoning (2007). Health Encyclopedia. Retrieved December 13, 2008, from http://www.faqs.org/. Lead Poisoning. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved December 13, 2008, from http://www.mayoclinic.com.

Works Cited Part 2 of 2 Lead Poisoning. Workshop of Horrors. Retrieved December 13, 2008, from http://www.osh.dol.govt.nz/kidz/gore/lead.shtml. Learning Disorders. (2007). Health Encyclopedia. Retrieved December 13, 2008, from http://www.faqs.org/. Northfield Area Foundation. Retrieved December 13, 2008, from http://northfieldareafoundation.org. Obi-Akpere, E. (2006, April 21). Flicker. Retrieved December 13, 2008, from http://www.zenergywater.com. Tap Water Series: Getting Lead Out (2008, March 8). Zenergy Water. Retrieved December 13, 2008, from http://www.zenergywater.com. The Normal Pediatric Skeleton. Medcyclopedia. Retrieved December 13, 2008, from http://www.medcyclopaedia.com. Thames Water Replace Ageing Water Mains (2006, April 05). Jamd. Retrieved December 13, 2008, from http://www.jamd.com. Victorian Davenport House. Waymark. Retrieved December 13, 2008, from http://www.waymarking.com. Water Inc. Retrieved December 13, 2008, from http://www.waterinc.com.