'Catch-22'makes it tough to get the lead out

摘要

Plumbing standards that can't be enforced are hindering efforts to reduce lead in U.S.drinking water,according to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO)report commissioned in the wake of the 2003-2004 Washington,D.C,lead crisis {Environ.Sci.Technol.2004,38 [12],224A-227A).Experts from regulatory agencies,industry,and trade associations agree with this conclusion.They add that a lack of enforcement is also exacerbating a conflict between regulations designed to reduce disinfection byproducts and those aimed at minimizing lead in drinking water.