Consuming lead has some dangerous symptoms, and once the dangers of lead were recognized, its use was prohibited in the mid-1950s by the Ontario Plumbing Code. However, homes built prior to 1950s may still have lead pipes coming from street to a home.
Let’s start with the basics: drinking water with lead contamination is bad. Generally bad, whoever you are, and particularly bad for the developing human fetus and for children under six years of age. Lead in drinking water impairs the proper neurodevelopment of these young people.
Lead is also toxic for adults, with symptoms gradually appearing over time as lead accumulates with continued exposure. Symptoms include abdominal pain or cramps, aggressive or irritable behavior, constipation, headaches and trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, fatigue, high blood pressure, numbness or tingling in the extremities, anemia, and kidney dysfunction.
So CLEARLY, lead pipes are something that homeowners should stay clear from. Now that this is clear, here are some tips on moving forward with this new found information given to you.
How to know if you have lead pipes:
- If you live in a house built before the mid-1950s, then it is very likely that you have lead pipes. If you don’t know, then look at your house papers or if your renting, ask the owner of the house
- If you can, look at the pipes that leads to you water meter. Here appearance can be the key to knowing. If it is grey, does not sound hollow when it is tapped, and scratches easily, it is most likely lead
- If neither of those work out for you, then calling a plumber is advised
- You could also check and see if you city offers free lead testing
What to Do if You Actually Have Lead Water Pipes:
Replace the pipe
You need to get rid of them before they severely negatively affect your health and the health of others that will be drinking that water.
Flush Your Pipes
When you haven’t used your tap for a few hours, let it run until the water is very cold, and an extra minute after that. This will provide you with fresh water from the water main.
Use Cold Water When Cooking and Drinking
When you’re using hot water with lead pipes, it’s easier for the lead to seep into it. But with cold water, it is less likely to contain lead.
Special Consideration:
You have to be especially careful if you are pregnant or have a child under the age of 6. Consuming lead with either of these conditions are a lot more severe side effects than others without these conditions. In these cases you have to take extra precaution. You should install an end of tap water filter.. If you have a baby and are no longer breastfeeding and have chosen to use formula, use cold filtered tap water. Boil it and let it cool down, and give the cooling down process approximately 30 minutes. Or consider simply drinking bottled water and using it for formula.
