Lead Poisoning: Contaminated Drinking Water
Topic Overview
If you suspect that your drinking water is contaminated with
lead, ask experts from your local or state health
department to test the water in your home.
- Don't cook with, drink, or make baby formula with
water from the hot water tap. Hot water pulls more lead out of pipes than cold
water does.
- Let cold water run for a few
minutes before using it for drinking or
cooking.
- Don't boil the water. As the water boils away, you'll have a smaller amount of water with the same amount of lead in it. So the water has a stronger "dose," or concentration, of lead.
- You can buy and use a water filter certified to remove lead.
- Consider using bottled water.
References
Other Works Consulted
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2010). Water. Available online: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips/water.htm.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2009). Water on tap: What you need to know. Available online: http://water.epa.gov/drink/guide.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | John Pope, MD - Pediatrics |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | R. Steven Tharratt, MD, MPVM, FACP, FCCP - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Medical Toxicology |
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| Last Revised | June 5, 2012 |
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Last Revised:
June 5, 2012
