Alexei Volkov
Plastic plumbing does not contain lead. However, lead can accumulate on the surface of plastic pipes if they convey metal-contaminated tap water. Lead can enter drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode, especially when the water has high acidity or low mineral content. Lead is harmful to health, especially for children, and can cause kidney damage and reproductive problems. While the use of lead in household plumbing has been banned for decades, older homes may still have lead pipes and fixtures. To reduce potential lead exposure, residents with lead plumbing can run the water from their tap until it turns noticeably colder before drinking it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic plumbing pipes | Do not inherently contain lead |
| Lead-free solder | Mandated in the US in 1986; mandated in New York City in 1987 |
| Lead-free plumbing components | May contain up to 0.25% lead since January 2014; previously up to 8% |
| Plastic pipes | May accumulate heavy metals on their surface if conveying metal-contaminated tap water |
| Water pH | Influences lead release from plastic pipes; lower pH increases lead release |
| Water flow conditions | Influences lead release from plastic pipes; stagnant conditions increase lead release |
| Water filters | Can remove most lead from drinking water if certified for lead removal |
| Water testing | Recommended to determine lead levels; free test kits available in some areas |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic plumbing pipes do not contain lead
In the United States, the use of lead in household plumbing has been banned for decades. However, older homes, particularly those built before the 1950s, may still have lead pipes and fixtures. The presence of lead in drinking water can be harmful, especially to young children, infants, and pregnant women. Lead can enter drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode, especially in water with high acidity or low mineral content.
While plastic plumbing pipes do not contain lead, research has shown that plastic materials can serve as resting sites for the accumulation of heavy metals, including lead. This accumulation can occur when plastic pipes convey metal-contaminated tap water. Additionally, a lower water pH of 5.0 increases the release of lead from plastic pipes into the water, compared to pH levels of 6.0 and 7.8.
To ensure the safety of drinking water, it is recommended to have it tested for lead content. Water filters can also be used to remove lead, but they must be specifically designed for lead removal and certified for that purpose.
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Older homes may still have lead pipes
Plastic plumbing pipes do not contain lead. However, older homes may still have lead pipes and fixtures, particularly those built between the 1910s and 1980s. In the United States and Canada, homes constructed before the 1950s are likely to have lead pipes unless they have been replaced. Lead was commonly used in plumbing for many centuries due to its low cost, resistance to rust, and ease of welding.
Even if your home does not have a lead service line in the basement, it does not guarantee that the line is lead-free. There could have been a partial line replacement, meaning part of the line underground could still be made of lead. Additionally, your city may still have lead service lines in place from the water main to the curb.
To determine if your water service line is made of lead, you can try scraping it with a screwdriver. If the metal is soft and turns shiny, it is likely lead. Another indication is the colour of the pipe; a dark matte grey colour is usually indicative of a lead service line.
To reduce the potential for lead exposure, it is recommended to run your faucet for at least 30 seconds until the water gets noticeably colder before using it for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula. Always use cold water for these purposes and never use hot tap water for consumption, as lead dissolves more easily in hot water.
You can also get your water tested for lead by contacting your drinking water utility or county health department.
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Lead pipes can cause lead poisoning
Lead was commonly used in plumbing for many centuries due to its low cost, resistance to rust, and ease of welding. However, due to its toxic nature and associated health risks, there has been a transition to alternative plumbing materials, such as copper and specialised plastics (PVC and PEX). Despite this shift, older homes, particularly those constructed before the 1950s, may still have lead pipes.
Lead pipes can leach lead into drinking water, and this exposure to lead can cause lead poisoning. Lead is a toxic metal that occurs naturally in the Earth's crust, and human activities have contributed to its widespread presence. Lead pipes, brass plumbing fixtures, and copper pipes soldered with lead can contaminate drinking water with lead particles. This contamination occurs when lead pipes corrode due to factors such as water chemistry (acidity and alkalinity) and mineral content.
The consequences of lead poisoning can be severe and vary across multiple body systems. Lead has a particularly detrimental effect on brain development, causing irreversible damage and reduced intelligence quotient (IQ) in children. Behavioural changes, including reduced attention span and increased antisocial behaviour, have also been observed. Additionally, lead exposure can lead to anaemia, hypertension, renal impairment, immunotoxicity, and reproductive issues. Pregnant women and young children are especially vulnerable to the toxic effects of lead. Lead exposure during pregnancy can result in reduced fetal growth and preterm birth.
To mitigate the risks associated with lead pipes, it is recommended to have your water tested and to contact your local water utility or county health department for guidance. Running cold water for at least a minute before use can help flush out lead particles from pipes. Additionally, water filters certified for lead removal can be effective in reducing lead levels in drinking water.
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Lead pipes can be identified by their dark matte grey colour
Lead is a neurotoxin that is particularly harmful to developing young brains, infants, young children, and pregnant women. It is a massive public health crisis, and health experts agree that there is no safe level of lead exposure. Lead pipes can be identified by their dark matte grey colour.
If you suspect that you have lead pipes, there are a few ways to confirm your suspicions. Firstly, if you can access the pipe, try gently scratching its surface with a coin, screwdriver, or key. If the pipe is soft, easily scraped, and silver in colour, and if a magnet doesn't stick to it, it is likely to be lead. Lead pipes may also have a bulb near the shutoff valve that resembles a snake that swallowed an egg.
However, it's important to note that if the pipe is painted or wrapped, its material may not be easily identifiable. Additionally, the shutoff valve may be located behind a wall or under the floor, making it inaccessible for testing. In such cases, you can try other methods, such as checking with your water utility or reviewing building permits and records for your house.
If you live in an older house, freshly patched flooring around your service line may indicate that the service line was recently replaced. It's also possible that only the portion of the line inside the house was replaced, so it's important to check the records or work with your water system to dig up and reveal the service line at the curb stop. This process is often referred to as excavation, potholing, or hydrovacing.
Another option is to have your water tested. You can contact your drinking water utility or county health department to find out how to test your water. This is the most reliable way to confirm the presence of lead, as lead can be found in other plumbing materials and faucets, and each home's plumbing is unique.
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Water filters can remove lead from drinking water
Lead was commonly used in plumbing for many centuries due to its low cost, rust resistance, and ease of welding. However, health concerns prompted a shift to alternative materials, such as copper and specialised plastics like PVC and PEX. Despite this shift, older homes, particularly those built before the 1950s, may still have lead pipes if they haven't been replaced. Lead can also be found in brass faucets and valves manufactured from the late 1970s to 2014, as lead was added to the brass alloy during this period.
The presence of lead in plumbing can pose a significant health risk, especially to infants, young children, and pregnant women. Lead can leach into drinking water, and while old lead pipes may not always be a health threat due to the formation of an oxidized metal layer, improper water chemistry can lead to lead leaching, as seen in the Flint water crisis.
To address this issue, water filters can be an effective solution. Water filters are designed to remove most lead from drinking water, reducing the risk of lead exposure. However, it's important to select a filter specifically designed for lead removal. Certifications like NSF/ANSI 53 and independent organisations like NSF provide verification that a filter effectively reduces lead and other contaminants. Reverse osmosis (RO) filters are also recommended for lead removal.
Some specific examples of water filters that can remove lead include the Brita Longlast and PUR Ultimate pitchers, which are budget-friendly options. For a more comprehensive solution, the Express Water Heavy Metal Whole House Water Filtration System WH100SK is installed at the main water supply line to treat all incoming water, removing lead and other contaminants.
While water filters offer a practical solution, it is also important to test your water to confirm the presence of lead. This can be done through local water utilities, county health departments, or certified laboratories. Additionally, simple tricks like scraping your water service line with a screwdriver can indicate the presence of lead if the metal turns soft and shiny.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic plumbing does not contain lead. However, plastic plumbing can accumulate heavy metals, including lead, on its surface if it conveys metal-contaminated tap water. A recent study showed that biofilm formation on the surface of polyethylene pellets significantly increased the amount of lead deposited on them.
Testing your water is the only sure way to tell if there are harmful quantities of lead in your drinking water. You can request a water quality test from your water utility or county health department.
Water filters can remove most lead from your drinking water, but the filter must be specifically designed for lead removal. You should also use cold water for cooking, drinking, and making baby formula and baby cereal.
Lead is harmful to health, especially for children, infants, and pregnant women. Lead poisoning can cause kidney damage, reproductive problems, and learning and behavior problems in children.
