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NYC Finds Lead in Tap Water
New Yorkers are being warned to run tap water for at least 30 seconds before using it for cooking or drinking after tests from the city's Department of Environmental Protection showed elevated lead levels in older buildings.
November 08, 2010 /Environment PR News/ -- New Yorkers are being warned to run tap water for at least 30 seconds before using it for cooking or drinking after tests from the city's Department of Environmental Protection showed elevated lead levels in older buildings.
The recent contamination is believed to have been caused by lead pipes and fixtures, which are usually found in buildings more than 40 years old. In this year's tests, 14 percent of the tested buildings showed lead levels higher than the accepted benchmark. The Environmental Protection Agency requires cities to take action if 10 percent or more of the tested buildings contain high levels of lead.
Consumption of elevated lead amounts can damage the brain, kidneys, nervous system and red blood cells. Children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to lead's detrimental effects.
The new city guidelines say the tap needs to be run if the water in the faucet has not been used for more than six hours.
For more environmental news, visit Environmental News Today (http://environment.einnews.com), an environmental media monitoring service from EIN News.
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