Six helpful tips on reducing your potential exposure to lead in your drinking water
Lead is one of the metals that are toxic to our bodies. Toxic metals form part of a group of elements that are harmful to mankind. However, some of these elements are not injurious to the body when consumed in the right quantities. Therefore, exposure to lead must be minimized at all costs. This section provides six helpful tips on how a person can reduce exposure to lead in drinking water.
Firstly, a tap should run until it becomes cold. The exercise makes water that has stood for long in the tap safe for domestic use. Secondly, people must always use cold water. Cold water contains less lead than hot water. Research has shown that dissolution of lead is slower in cold tap water than hot water. The third tip discourages people from boiling water to reduce lead. In actual sense, boiling water concentrates lead rather than removing it or lowering its concentration. Proper cleaning of the faucet is the fourth tip. Lead and other residues collect on faucet screens after a certain period of time. For that reason, faucet screens should be cleaned periodically. Fifthly, it is advisable to test for lead if one still thinks his plumbing is not safe. This is done after trying the other four tips. Luckily, kits for this test are offered free of charge. Lastly, home treatment devices must be inspected and renovated regularly. They should also be tested immediately after installation. Furthermore, a person must ensure that these devices are approved for use in reducing the amount of lead or contact with the element. For further clarity, relevant authorities must be consulted through their various contacts.