Middlesex-London Health Unit

PLEASE NOTE: As of July 16, 2007, ALL pour-through pitcher-type water filtration systems were required to be re-certified for lead reduction. Information on the current certification status of filtration devices can be obtained by visiting the NSF website at: http://www.nsf.org/certified/dwtu.

Over the last two years there has been a lot of discussion in London about lead: lead in drinking water, lead levels in blood and the potential health hazards and risks associated with exposure to lead. In an effort to address some of the concerns that have been identified, the Middlesex-London Health Unit would like to put the risks associated with lead into perspective.

The lead levels the population is exposed to have decreased significantly over the past decades due to reductions in the use of lead as an additive in gasoline, paint and solder. Lead in gasoline was gradually reduced starting in the mid-1970s and was completely eliminated by the early 1990s. Lead in paint was reduced to very low levels as early as the 1960s and was banned by 1972. Lead in solder used for tin cans and drinking water pipes was reduced or eliminated by the mid to late 1980s. Because children ingest most of their lead from food, dirt, and dust, these reductions in sources of lead have decreased blood lead levels significantly over the years. In 1970, the average blood lead level in Quebec children was 20 micrograms per deciliter. The average blood lead level has fallen to less than 3 micrograms per deciliter today. Similar results have been found in the United States and are also expected to be the case in Ontario.

While a blood lead level of over 10 micrograms per deciliter is considered cause for concern, recent studies indicate that even blood lead levels of less than 10 micrograms per deciliter may have subtle effects on the neurological development of children. These effects are very mild compared to the effects of blood lead levels seen in the past. However, the recent studies support the principle that no level of lead is acceptable and that continued efforts should be taken to reduce lead exposure as much as possible. With the goal of further reducing the potential for lead exposure, the standard for lead concentration in drinking water in Canada was changed in 1992 from 50 micrograms per liter (50 parts per billion) to 10 micrograms per liter (10 parts per billion). Tests of the City of London’s drinking water have consistently shown that the lead levels in the municipal water supply are significantly less than the 10 microgram per liter standard.

However, in 2006 and 2007, some older homes in London with lead service lines were found to have elevated levels of lead in their water when samples were taken at the tap. This was despite flushing or running the water for several minutes. Service lines are the pipes that carry the water from the water main, which runs down each street, into each home. Some homes built before 1952 may still have lead service lines. Ownership and responsibility for the service line is shared between the City of London and the homeowner. The section of the service line from the water main to the property line is owned by the city, while the section from the property line to the house is the responsibility of the homeowner.

It has long been known that flushing or running the water will reduce the levels of lead in water if lead service lines are present. However in some cases, flushing the water for 5 minutes may not reduce the levels of lead below the current Canadian standard of 10 micrograms per liter of water.

In most cases where the water lead level is found to be above 10 micrograms per liter, it is only slightly above this standard. These levels of lead in water are NOT expected to result in blood lead levels above the 10 microgram per deciliter level of concern. However because lead exposure should be reduced whenever possible, especially in young children and fetuses, the following recommendations are being made.

• Run the water from the drinking water tap if it has been sitting in the pipes for 6 hours or more. Water should be flushed for at least five minutes. (See below for more information on how to run or flush your water).
• Use cold, flushed water for drinking and preparing food. Water from the hot water tap should not be consumed as heated water generally contains higher lead levels.
• If there are children under the age of 6 or pregnant women living in the house, follow the recommendations listed below.
• Request water testing from the City of London by calling 519-661-4739 or emailing your request to leadtesting@london.ca.
• Contact the City of London by calling 519-661-4739 to discuss replacement of the lead service line to your house located on your property and city property.

Children under the age of 6 and pregnant women should drink bottled water or use an approved filter attached to the tap. Make sure any filtration product purchased is certified as meeting the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) International standard for reducing lead. This recommendation is particularly important for infants whose formula is prepared by adding tap water to liquid concentrate or powder.

When using filtration devices it is very important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. When using a filter device be sure that:

• The water is free of bacteria. This is certain to be the case when using City of London water.
• The water is run for at least 30 seconds if the filter is on the tap.
• The filter is changed at the times recommended by the manufacturer.

PLEASE NOTE: As of July 16, 2007, ALL pour-through pitcher-type water filtration systems were required to be re-certified for lead reduction. Information on the certification status of filtration devices can be obtained by visiting the NSF website at: http://www.nsf.org/certified/dwtu.

The label on bottled water should be checked to ensure it is lead-free. Lead content is listed on the "Analysis Label" and is also referred to as "Pb". The water is lead-free if the value for lead is zero. It is important to note that not all bottled water is lead-free.

When making formula with any water, including filtered or bottled water, it is important to bring the water to a hard rolling boil for one minute and cool before mixing with the formula. This follows the usual recommendations for preparing formula for infants under four months of age. Complete information on formula preparation is available on the Health Unit web site at:http://www.healthunit.com/article.aspx?ID=10277.

If your water has been shown to have lead levels below the recommended 10 micrograms per liter, continue to run your water for at least 5 minutes before use, as described below. Filters and bottled waters are no longer needed. However, if you still have concerns, contact the Middlesex-London Health Unit at 519-663-5317 ext. 2300.

• Children less than 6 years of age: Younger children are still developing and are therefore more sensitive to the neurological and blood effects of lead. As well, children less than 6 years of age absorb lead more easily than adults. Particular recommendations are made for formula-fed infants because the water used to make the formula can contribute 40 – 60% of an infant’s lead intake, whereas drinking water in older children and adults only contributes approximately 10% of total lead intake.
• Pregnant women: Pregnant women can pass lead in their blood to their fetus during pregnancy. Therefore particular recommendations are made to keep lead levels in pregnant women as low as possible.

• Run the water from the drinking water tap if it has been sitting in the pipes for 6 hours or more. Water should be flushed for at least five minutes. (See below for more information on how to run or flush your water).
• Use cold, flushed water for drinking and preparing food. Water from the hot water tap should not be consumed as heated water generally contains higher lead levels.
• Request water testing from the City of London by calling 519-661-4739 or emailing your request to leadtesting@london.ca and click on "lead sampling".
• Contact the City of London by calling 519-661-4739 to discuss replacement of the lead service line to your house located on your property and city property.

No. The amount of lead found in the breast milk of women who drink tap water in homes served by lead service lines does not constitute a risk to their infants' health. Breastfeeding mothers should follow the recommendations for non-pregnant women.

Generally, no. Older children and non-pregnant women usually get only a small percentage of their lead from water. Most lead exposure comes from food, and in young children, lead exposure can also come from eating dirt and dust from the environment. Standards for lead in water have been lowered significantly over the years. Levels slightly over the acceptable levels of 10 micrograms per liter are very unlikely to cause health effects for older children and non-pregnant women. The few households where the lead levels in water are significantly elevated will receive specific instructions from the Middlesex-London Health Unit.

No. Over the years, the major sources of lead exposure for children have decreased significantly because of the elimination of lead in gasoline, paint and solder in tin cans. Other jurisdictions have similar lead issues in their drinking water systems. In some areas where lead toxicity is reportable to public health, significantly elevated blood lead levels have not been reported. Lead toxicity is not reportable to public health in Ontario, however, local testing for lead levels in blood has not revealed any elevated blood lead levels related to lead in drinking water. Parents are advised to discuss specific health concerns with their physicians.

Yes. Activities such as bathing, showering and washing dishes and clothes do not expose people in the house to lead.

People with lead service lines should "run" or "flush" their water lines when the water has been sitting in the pipes for longer than 6 hours as follows:

• Let the water run from the cold drinking water tap at medium flow for 5 minutes (this will add approximately 5 cents per day to your water bill),

OR

• Take a shower or run a major appliance such as a washing machine or dishwasher and then let the water from the cold drinking water tap run for 2 minutes at medium flow before using for drinking or food preparation.

To avoid having to run your water each time it has been sitting in the pipes for 6 hours or more, you can run your water as described above and then fill kettles, pitchers and pots with enough flushed water for drinking and food preparation during the day.

Except in formula-fed infants, drinking water normally contributes only a small percentage of total lead intake. Lead in other sources has been significantly reduced by the elimination of lead in gasoline, paint and solder in tin cans. In older houses, lead-based paints may remain a source of lead exposure, particularly to children who may eat lead-based paint chips or dust. Measures to reduce lead exposure in the home can be found at www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/inaiqu/inaiqu_007.cfm

No. The City of London water has very low levels of lead, significantly less than the standard of 10 micrograms per liter. Concerns have only been raised with regard to lead service lines in homes built before 1952.

For information on lead in the water, contact the City of London by calling 519-661-4739. Also see the City of London web site for details at www.london.ca/d.aspx?s=/Water/Water_Lead_pipes.htm