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Let it run. and get the lead out! <br /> Important information on how to protect your health <br /> Lead is a common metal that has been in many consumer products but is now known to be harmful to human health <br /> if ingested or inhaled. It can be found in lead-based paint,air,soil,household dust,food,some types of pottery,and <br /> drinking water. When people come in contact with lead,it may enter their bodies and accumulate over time,resulting <br /> in damage to the brain,nervous system,red blood cells,and kidneys. <br /> The following is information about lead in drinking water:why it is a cause for concern,how it enters water,and most <br /> importantly,simple precautions you can take to protect you and your family. <br /> Why is lead in drinking <br /> water a problem? How does lead get into my drinking water? <br /> Drinking water is not our only source Lead is rarely found in natural sources Lead pipes are no longer installed for <br /> of lead exposure. However, of water such as rivers and lakes or service lines or in household <br /> combined with other sources,lead in underground aquifers. However, it plumbing, and lead solder has been <br /> water can increase the build-up of may work its way into drinking water outlawed in Minnesota since 1985. <br /> lead in our bodies. Lead in water can after the water has left the treatment The amount of lead allowed in brass <br /> be a special problem for infants, plant and is on its way to people's faucets has also been limited,but can <br /> whose diets may be mostly liquids, faucets. This usually happens through still contribute some lead to drinking <br /> such as baby formulas or the corrosion of materials containing water (note that many faucets are <br /> concentrated juices mixed with lead in household plumbing. These made of brass even if they do not have <br /> water. Smaller bodies can absorb lead materials include brass faucets, lead a "brass" color). Even with these <br /> more rapidly than bigger ones, so solder on copper pipes,lead pipes,or restrictions in place, some homes— <br /> amounts of lead that won't hurt an lead service lines connecting the especially older homes—may still <br /> adult can be very harmful to a child. water main to the inside plumbing. have significant amounts of lead in <br /> A child's mental and physical growth their plumbing systems. <br /> can be permanently harmed by too <br /> much lead. <br /> How can I reduce lead in my drinking water? <br /> Let It Run. Flush taps before using water from them for drinking or cooking. Water that stands idle in pipes for long <br /> periods of time—such as overnight or during the day when people are gone to work and school—is more likely to <br /> absorb materials from the plumbing system. The best way to rid the pipes of water that may contain lead is to let the <br /> cold-water faucet run until you feel that the water is as cold as it will get. The amount of time this takes will depend <br /> on your home and how its plumbing is arranged—but you should always run the water for at least 60 seconds.If your <br /> home has a lead service line(which you can determine by asking your local water utility),you should flush water for <br /> an additional 2 to 3 minutes to make sure you are getting fresh water from the water main. Be sure to flush standing <br /> water before using any water for drinking or cooking purposes. <br /> Tips for flushing: <br /> ♦ Other household water uses will also help clear standing water from your home's plumbing.For example,you may <br /> want to establish a routine of doing household tasks that use water—such as showering, flushing the toilet, or <br /> running the dishwasher—first thing in the morning before using water for drinking or cooking.Keep in mind that <br /> you'll still need to flush individual faucets for a short time before using them for drinking water. <br /> 6 The water you run from drinking water taps does not have to be wasted. You can use this water for cleaning <br /> purposes or for watering plants. <br /> é You may want to keep a container of drinking water in your refrigerator,so you don't have to run water every time <br /> you need it. <br /> Use Only Cold Water for Cooking and Drinking. Hot water dissolves lead more quickly than cold water, so don't <br /> use water from your hot-water faucet for cooking or drinking. If you need hot water for cooking or drinking,take <br /> water from the cold tap and heat it. It is especially important not to use the hot water for making baby formula. <br /> 90 <br />