Pipe scales release hazardous metals into drinking water

摘要

Mineral deposits inside drinking-water pipes can contain high levels of hazardous metals, including arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, and the metals can contaminate tap water when they are disturbed, according to new research published in ES&T (pp 4285-4291). But current water-quality regulations miss such disturbances, because they call for monitoring at the treatment plant be- fore the water enters the distribution sys- tern pipes.