Health Concern
Lead in Drinking Water
Lead is a toxic heavy metal that can cause serious health problems, especially in children and pregnant women.
15 ppb
EPA Action Level
Pb
Chemical Formula
10-20%
FL Homes Affected
Health Effects
Short-term Effects
- Stomach pain and nausea
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
Long-term Effects
- Developmental delays in children
- Learning difficulties
- High blood pressure
- Kidney damage
- Reproductive problems
Common Sources
1
Old plumbing systems and fixtures
2
Lead service lines
3
Brass faucets and fittings
4
Solder used in copper pipes
5
Industrial contamination
Detection & Testing
EPA-certified laboratory testing
Home test kits (preliminary)
Professional water analysis
Removal & Treatment Methods
Reverse Osmosis
Effectiveness
95%
Highly effective at removing lead and other heavy metals
Regulations & Standards
EPA Regulations
EPA Lead and Copper Rule requires testing and treatment if action level is exceeded
Action Level:
15 ppb
Prevalence in FL:
10-20% of homes