The other day in my blog about "What would impress the Romans?" I touched on the subject of Lead Poisoning. I think lead paint is a serious concern in our homes today, but 100 years ago it would (should) have been lead pipes. I am sure many of our ancestors---even our parents---had health concerns related to the use of lead pipes in homes. According to Werner Troesken in The Great Lead Water Pipe Disaster , even from the beginnings of the use of lead pipes, doctors and scientists warned of its dangers----as early as the mid 1850's. Governments were slow to act (didn't act at all really) and the City of New York didn't do anything "official" restricting lead in water until 1992. By then most lead piping had been replaced with other types of pipes. Here are some pictures of lead water supply pipes to a sink---fortunately no longer in use.
Lead pipes are relatively easy to identify because of the "bulbous" area where they make their attachment to other types of pipes or at the sink faucet--- sort of looks like the pipe swallowed something.
Perhaps the most common choice for pipes since the early 50's has been copper. Until 1986 solder with lead was used to connect pipe components. So any home built prior to that time is likely to have lead soldered joints and runs a risk of having lead in the water. According to the EPA : "Lead is rarely found in source water, but enters tap water through corrosion of plumbing materials. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have pipes with lead soldered joints and fixtures that contain leadr. However, new homes are also at risk: even legally "lead-free" plumbing may contain up to 8 percent lead. The most common problem is with brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures which can leach significant amounts of lead into the water, especially hot water."
Water that stands in the pipe for long periods of time, or water that is acidic is more likely to contain greater quantities of lead. If you suspect the pipes in your home contain lead the EPA recommends that you: "Call your local health department or water supplier to find out about testing your water. You cannot see, smell, or taste lead, and boiling your water will not get rid of lead. If you think your plumbing might have lead in it: Use only cold water for drinking and cooking. Run water for 15 to 30 seconds before drinking it, especially if you have not used your water for a few hours."(I would add that if you have been away from home for an extended period of time it would be a good idea to run the water for enough time to adequately flush the pipes of the standing water). And where does all this "lead-laden" water go?----perhaps the subject of another blog.
Charles Buell
www.buellinspections.com
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Where is the proof though...My father in law said he and his brother use to suck on the lead paint chips at night because they could peel off a chunk and sucking on it kept there mouth moist and increased saliva...and no he is not a republican....registered democrat.....83 YO and likes to read playboy.....for the articles! He was also a welder on the USS missouri, and when they wanted a smoke break...they would torch the asbestas...clear out...fire department put it out...they resprayed and he was back working in a half hour while the asbestas was still wet.