Unsafe Lead Service Lines Must Be Removed

摘要

A consensus has emerged among drinking water and public health professionals that we must replace the estimated six to ten million lead service lines still in use. LSLs deliver water from the main under the street to our homes and cannot be safely managed in place. Corrosion control - treating the water to create a protective coating inside these pipes as well as leaded plumbing inside the house - has been our primary tool to reduce lead in drinking water. While it is important, corrosion control is not up to the task of protecting children from the unpredictable spikes of lead particulate released into drinking water when the LSLs are disturbed. Children's developing brains are vulnerable to long-term harm from even these short-term spikes. After all, there is no safe level of lead exposure.