Lead in Durham's Water Supply

A news release on July 21 precautioned some Durham residents on high levels of lead, a poisonous heavy metal, found in tap water.  According to WRAL,

Of 89 water samples taken over the past month, 18 homes -- about one in five-- showed lead contamination above federal safety guidelines.

The cause of the lead contaminiation seems to be old pipes used prior to the ban on lead solder in 1985:

Durham officials say the problem could be caused by ferric chloride, a chemical used to disinfect the water at one of the city's two treatment plants since January 2003. The chloride might have scoured away a protective film that builds up in pipes and then corroded the solder, causing lead to leach into the water. The city stopped using ferric chloride at one of its treatment plants on July 6, hoping it leads to a decline in lead contamination.

Durham is already working on their lead problem, and hopefully other cities across the state will take notice and test their water for lead, as well. 

Each of us can be on the look out for lead in other products, too. Not only found in water, lead can be found in old paint, some types of pottery, contaminated soil, and even some plastic/vinyl miniblinds. If you have children and think your home may be susceptible to lead contamination, contact the NC Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program or visit http://www.leadtesting.org to order test kits for your water.