How could you find out if lead is in your drinking water?

Since you cannot see, taste, or smell lead dissolved in water, testing is the only sure way of telling whether there are harmful quantities of lead in your drinking water. A list of certified laboratories are available from your state or local drinking water authority. Testing costs between $20 and $100.

How do you test for lead?

A simple blood test can detect lead poisoning. A small blood sample is taken from a finger prick or from a vein. Lead levels in the blood are measured in micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL). There is no safe blood level of lead.

How much lead is in average tap water?

EPA’s action level for lead in water delivered to users of public drinking water systems is 15 µg/L. FDA has set various action levels regarding lead in food items, cosmetics and bottled water.

Can you test your own water for lead?

If you are concerned about lead in your water, you can request tap water lead testing at your home through Cal Water’s customer service department.

Can you smell lead in water?

You cannot see, taste, or smell lead in drinking water. The best way to know your risk of exposure to lead in drinking water is to identify the potential sources of lead in your service line and household plumbing.

How do I know if my pipes are lead?

If the pipe is covered or wrapped, expose a small area of metal. Use the flat edge of a screwdriver or other similar tool to scratch through any corrosion that may have built up on the outside of the pipe. If the scraped area is shiny and silver, your service line is lead. A magnet will not stick to a lead pipe.

Can a bullet cause lead poisoning?

Lead poisoning is an unusual complication of gunshot wounds that occurs when retained lead bullet fragments are in contact with body fluids capable of solubilizing lead. The epidemic of violence by gunfire may result in increasing numbers of lead poisoning cases from this exposure.

Can you boil lead out of water?

Heating or boiling your water will not remove lead. Because some of the water evaporates during the boiling process, the lead concentration of the water can actually increase slightly as the water is boiled.

What lead looks like?

Lead is a bluish-white lustrous metal. It is very soft, highly malleable, ductile, and a relatively poor conductor of electricity. It is very resistant to corrosion but tarnishes upon exposure to air. It is the traditional base metal for organ pipes, and it is used as electrodes in the process of electrolysis.