Lead Leaching from Faucet Fixtures Under Residential Conditions

Faucet fixtures have been shown to be a significant source of lead exposure. For this study, samples were taken from approximately 1,000 faucets in residential use after an overnight standing time. Approximately seven percent of those faucets delivered lead concentrations that exceeded the U.S. Envi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of environmental health 1998-10, Vol.61 (3), p.18-21
Main Authors: Patch, Steven C., Maas, Richard P., Pope, Jason P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Drinking water
Environmental health
Environmental monitoring
Environmental protection
Faucets
FEATURES
Leaching
Lead
Lead poisoning
Manufacturing processes
Methods
Plumbing
Plumbing fixtures
Prevention
Safety and security measures
Studies
Tap water
Water quality
Water samples
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Summary:Faucet fixtures have been shown to be a significant source of lead exposure. For this study, samples were taken from approximately 1,000 faucets in residential use after an overnight standing time. Approximately seven percent of those faucets delivered lead concentrations that exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's action limit of 15 micrograms per liter. Lead concentrations caused by faucets are significantly greater than lead concentrations that occur in the plumbing line just behind the faucets. Bathroom faucets leach more lead than kitchen faucets. Lead concentrations increase with standing times. Newer faucets leach more lead than older faucets, although for faucets of all age categories, at least five percent of the samples had lead concentrations that exceeded the action limit. Faucets manufactured primarily with sand-casting methods yield significantly higher lead concentrations than those manufactured with other methods.
ISSN:0022-0892