Is your drinking water poisoning you? In Chicago, 80% of properties are connected to decades-old water mains that contain lead. As they corrode, these water mains contaminate your drinking water, contributing to 10-20% of your overall lead exposure. This contributes to lead poisoning, which causes serious damage to the nervous system, brain, and other organs. Protect yourself and your family! Maintain your water aerator, get your water tested, and invest in an NSF-certified drinking water system from Angel Water.
Lead is a major problem in our world today and most people have no idea that they are consuming it. It is extremely important to determine what is in your water and take the necessary steps to ensure you and your loved ones are safe.
How Does Lead Get into the Water?
Lead enters the body through a number of ways but the most common is through the water supply. Many water pipes were created using lead and have not been replaced in decades. Because of this, as the water travels through the pipes, lead leaks into the water due to corrosion of the old pipes. By the time the water reaches the faucet it has a number of harmful chemicals, including lead, and when consumed it causes major health problems.
Health Conditions
Too much lead in the body will cause serious damages to the nervous system, brain, and blood cells. Therefore, those who are most at risk re young children and pregnant women. Side effects and damages that have been found in children who have had lead poisoning include: slower physical and mental development, behavior problems, mental retardation, liver damage, kidney damage, blindness and death.
Am I at Risk of Lead Poisoning?
At least ten to twenty percent of our over-all exposure to lead comes from contaminated water. Babies have been found to get between thirty and forty percent of their lead exposure by drinking formula which has been mixed with contaminated water. As it turns out, only nine U.S. states have reported safe levels of lead in their water, these include: Alabama, Arkansas, Hawaii, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota and Tennessee.
What can be done to Reduce Risk of Lead Poisoning?
If you believe you are at risk you should take the following safety precautions:
- Periodically Inspect and Clean Faucet Aerator
- Test Water for Lead
- Purchase a NSF Certified Filtration System
Lead in pipes is a serious issue. It is vital to take the necessary steps to ensure that you and your loved ones are safe from lead poisoning. Call Angel Water, Inc. to have your water tested today!
To view this infographic or our other infographics, visit us on our Pinterest Page!
