The Low Down on Lead in London and Area

In an article published by the London Free Press, schools across Thames Valley are testing their water for elevated lead levels in response to Ontario’s Chief Water Inspector, Jim Smith, requesting that the water be tested in older homes, nurseries, schools and hospitals. This order was made one week after The Free Press reported many older London homes had levels of lead that failed to meet health standards even after the pipes were flushed out. The testing has been ordered for older homes that may be begin supplied wit water via lead pipes and in institutions like hospitals and school that serve vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women.
Concern is being taken because of the nasty effects that lead exposure can have on humans of all ages.

According to the National Saftey Council at ncs.org, lead posiing can cause a wide array of problems in people of all ages. Young children under the age of six are especially vulnerable to lead’s harmful health effects because their brains and central nervous systems are not fully formed. The effects are as follows for low level exposure:
-reduced IQ
-learning disabilities
-attention deficit disorders
-behavioural problems
-stunted growth
-imparied hearing
-kidney damage

Effects on children under te age of six exposed to a high level of exposure:
-mental retardation
-coma
-death

Lead can also cause a wide array of problems in adults, even with their brains and central nervous systems fully formed. Lead can:
- increase blood pressure
-cause fertility problems
-nerve disorders
- muscle and joint pain
- irritability
- memory or concentration problems
It takes a significantly greater level of exposure to lead for adults than it does for kids to sustain adverse health effects. In pregnancy, a woman who has an elevated blood-lead level can easily transfer this to the fetus through the placenta. Pregnancy itself also can cause lead to be released from the bone, where lead is stored, and enter the blood stream. This lead will end up in the fetus.

An article published by the City of London outlines the areas at risk for lead poisoning within the city and what the city is doing about it. It was outlined that some homes in London, built before the mid-1950s, may have lead levels higher than Provincial Standards due to lead water pipes (water services) running from the City’s water main in the street into the home. As water travels through the lead service pipe it can uptake trace amounts of lead and may exceed the Provincial Standard (the Provincial Standard tis 10 micrograms per litre, as outlined by the Ministry of Environment).

A map is supplied to inform Londoners if their home is supplied with lead piping. Lead service connections were often used in London prior to 1952. To check for yourself, locate your water metre, typically found in the basement, and look at the pipe coming up through the basement floor into the bottom of the water metre. Lead is grey, does not echo if you gently strike it, scratches easily and leaves metallic marks when you rub the scratched area against paper.

The City has a three-pronged plan to address lead water pipes:
1. Education and awareness campaign to educate homeowners who have lead pipes and to provide information about replacing the pipes.
2.Investigation into changes to the water chemistry (pH, hardness, etc.) which could minimize the uptake of lead into the water.
3. Replacement of lead pipes, in conjunction with homeowners and as part of our broader infrastructure renewal efforts.
--Watermain Replacement Program is focused on ensuring our piped water infrastructure is renewed at a sustainable rate. As part of the program, when a watermain is replaced, the service connections are also replaced to the property line. On average, approximately 400 service connections are renewed each year.
--Lead Service Replacement Program provides opportunity for a homeowner to replace their portion of the lead service connection from the property line into the house. The City will replace the public portion at no cost to the homeowner, as outlined in the City of London (Water By-law W-3 Clause 6.17(b).

This site also discloses resources for professional residential water testing and how water delivry systems are beign replaced. In conclusion, the people of London should be concerned about lead in their water, as of the adverse effects that it can cause on the human body are permanent and life altering.