Environmental Health: Lead Exposure in Water Essay

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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.

MetalChemical symbolWhere it occurs in the natural environment.Major health effects in humans.Food, household, beauty products containing the metal.
CadmiumCdMajority of metal ores.Affects DNA repair and replication. In addition, cadmium increases aggression in human beings.Fish, mascara and car parts such as brake linings.
ChromiumCrBran and germ from most whole-grain cereals.Excessive exposure can cause lung cancer, liver, kidney and blood toxicity and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD)Blender, refrigerators and other household appliances. Most whole-grain foods contain chromium in large quantities.
MercuryHgGold and silver ores.Exposure to high quantities damages the nervous system and kidneyEggs, electronic appliances and creams such as Aichun Beauty (Aloe Vera).
NickelNiForms part of planet’s iron-nickel molten core.Leads to Cancer, birth defects, heart disorders and respiratory failures.Eyeliners, lipsticks, chocolates, bra hooks and bracelets
CopperCuBinds naturally to soil and water sediments.Causes irritation of body organs, stomachaches, headaches. Excessive exposure damages the liver and the kidney.Electronics and copper wires, sea foods and beauty products containing copper peptide.
ZincZnOccurs naturally in the soil, air and water.Induces vomiting, skin irritation, stomach cramps, destruction of pancreas and interruption of metabolism.Beef products, lozenges and galvanized products such as nails and iron sheets.
IronFeOccurs in the earth’s core and crust as iron oxide.May cause lung cancer and conjunctivitis.Utensils and cutlery, spinach and wrinkle-removing creams such as Matrixyl.
AluminumALOccurs on the earth’s surface as an isotope, aluminium-27.Causes memory loss. Moreover, antiperspirants containing aluminum are touted to cause breast cancer.Deodorant/Antiperspirants, Utensils and cutlery and table salts.
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IvyPanda. "Environmental Health: Lead Exposure in Water." May 27, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/environmental-health-lead-exposure-in-water/.

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