Sources & Health Effects of Lead

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Sources of Lead

Lead is a common metal found in lead-based paint, air, soil, household dust, food, certain types of pottery, porcelain and pewter, and water service piping and fixtures. The drinking water that leaves the treatment plant in Scituate and travels through the Providence Water distribution system has no detectable levels of lead. Lead can enter drinking water when the water is in contact with materials that contain lead. These materials include lead service lines that connect your house to the water main, lead pipes in your home, lead-based solder used to join copper pipe, and brass and chrome-plated brass faucets. The longer that water sits within these materials, the more lead can leach from them and enter the water.

Health Effects of Lead

Anyone can suffer health effects from exposure to lead, but lead is most dangerous to children younger than six years old and people who are pregnant. Lead can hurt a child's brain and nervous system and slow down growth and development. People exposed to lead as children can have lifelong difficulties with learning and behavior and may have trouble paying attention. Even small amounts of lead can harm a child. While it is rarely the primary cause of lead poisoning in Rhode Island, drinking water can be a source of lead. If a building was built or plumbed before 2014, it could have plumbing materials containing lead. For more information about health effects of lead visit www.health.ri.gov/lead.com

Test Your Water for Lead

Call our Water Quality Hotline at (401) 521-6303 to have a free lead test kit mailed out to your home or business.

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