Analysis of tapwater lead concentration in homes of children with undue body lead burden
Lead concentrations in household tapwater were analyzed in 49 homes inhabited by children with known elevations of blood lead (greater than or equal to 30 ..mu..g +- 3/dl) in Columbus, Ohio to assess the contribution to body lead burden of household tapwater intake. Average Pb concentration for all water samples tested was 4 ..mu..g/l, well below the EPA maximum allowable 50 ..mu..g/l standard. Level of Pb in blood and Pb water concentration for households showed no correlation nor were there significant differences in water Pb concentrations for water supplies in homes with lead compared to copper service pipes. The consistently low levels of Pb in Columbus water (< 10 ..mu..g/dl) probably is the result of the alkaline pH (10.0) reducing the solubility of Pb in water. In contrast, water in Boston, Massachusetts has a more acid pH (6.5) resulting in a more frequent incidence of water Pb concentrations greater than 50 ..mu..g/l. Based on an estimated steady state normal intake in a preschool child of approx. 130 ..mu..g of Pb per day from all sources, Pb intake from consumption of tapwater is unlikely to add significantly to a child's totl body burden of Pb in cities whose water supplies comply with EPA drinking water standards.
- Research Organization:
- Ohio State Univ., Columbus
- OSTI ID:
- 6240924
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8106251-
- Journal Information:
- Trace Subst. Environ. Health; (United States), Vol. 15; Conference: 15. annual conference on trace substances in environmental health, Columbia, MO, USA, 1 Jun 1981
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
DRINKING WATER
WATER CHEMISTRY
LEAD
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
METABOLISM
BODY BURDEN
BUILDING MATERIALS
CHILDREN
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
HOUSES
PH VALUE
PUBLIC HEALTH
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
WATER QUALITY
AGE GROUPS
BUILDINGS
CHEMISTRY
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MATERIALS
METALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
WATER
520300* - Environment
Aquatic- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (1989)
560306 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Man- (-1987)