During the 19th and early 20th century lead was widely used in major U.S. cities for water pipes because of its durability and malleability. Lead pipes were eventually superseded by galvanized steel and copper, and copper pipe became the predominant material selected for domestic water service and distribution in post-World War II residential construction.
Lead contamination, caused by pipe corrosion and erosion, was the major source of lead-related health problems in the years before the health hazards of ingesting lead were fully understood. Two of the most serious health problems were stillbirth and high rates of infant mortality. Part of what did and continues to makes it so serious is that, unlike many other plumbing or pipe problems, there is no way to detect it without having your water tested. On its website, the EPA offers general information about lead contamination and how to test for it.
If you have lead in your water, it?s generally because of one (or more) of these: lead-based solder which used to be the primary way to join copper pipes, a lead service line pipe linking your house to the city or town water main, and brass (or chrome-plated brass) faucets. The U.S. Congress banned the use of lead solder containing greater than 0.2% lead in 1986. It also limited the lead composition of pipes, faucets, and all other plumbing materials to 8.0%.? As a result of this legislation, ?lead-free? brass legally can contain no more than 8% lead and plumbing installed before 1986 possibly contain higher levels of lead.
In older buildings and homes, the service line from the municipal water main to the house may be a lead pipe -- something you should definitely confirm. Unless your piping has been upgraded in the past 40 years, it is probably galvanized pipe (iron with a zinc coating) which does not require lead solder to join the pipe. You may already know if your faucets are brass or chrome-plated, but if not, you might want to consult with a licensed plumber or take them with you to a local hardware store. CuraFlo??s website offers a brief history of lead materials in water pipes.
If your pipes are the source, epoxy lining will prevent lead leaching into your drinking water. Because the epoxy lining creates a barrier between the metal pipe and the water coming in contact with it, it stops the chemical reaction that causes corrosion. It eliminates and prevents from reoccurring, leaching of lead and other metals into the water, as well as a host of other poor water quality issues such as: discolored water (red, brown, blue or yellow), metallic taste (caused by zinc or iron leeching in galvanized pipes), and water odor or bad taste (caused by bacteria).
Epoxy lining of pipes is not a new technology, just a relatively unkown one. But it?s not unproven ?both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have tested and approved the use of epoxy pipe lining to prevent lead and other contaminants from leaching into drinking water. Links to their reports are available at http://curaflo.com/CuraFlo/ResourceCenter.
government?s highest stadard for safe drinking water: ANSI/NSF Standard 61. ANSI/NSF Standard 61 certification means CuraPoxy is certified for safe use in drinking water pipes carrying water up to 180? Fahrenheit or 82.2? Celsius. The proprietary epoxy and epoxy pipe lining process CuraFlo uses will protect you from lead and other metals in your pipes that may be leaching into your water now or might in the future, by creating a safe barrier between them and your water. - 15266
Lead contamination, caused by pipe corrosion and erosion, was the major source of lead-related health problems in the years before the health hazards of ingesting lead were fully understood. Two of the most serious health problems were stillbirth and high rates of infant mortality. Part of what did and continues to makes it so serious is that, unlike many other plumbing or pipe problems, there is no way to detect it without having your water tested. On its website, the EPA offers general information about lead contamination and how to test for it.
If you have lead in your water, it?s generally because of one (or more) of these: lead-based solder which used to be the primary way to join copper pipes, a lead service line pipe linking your house to the city or town water main, and brass (or chrome-plated brass) faucets. The U.S. Congress banned the use of lead solder containing greater than 0.2% lead in 1986. It also limited the lead composition of pipes, faucets, and all other plumbing materials to 8.0%.? As a result of this legislation, ?lead-free? brass legally can contain no more than 8% lead and plumbing installed before 1986 possibly contain higher levels of lead.
In older buildings and homes, the service line from the municipal water main to the house may be a lead pipe -- something you should definitely confirm. Unless your piping has been upgraded in the past 40 years, it is probably galvanized pipe (iron with a zinc coating) which does not require lead solder to join the pipe. You may already know if your faucets are brass or chrome-plated, but if not, you might want to consult with a licensed plumber or take them with you to a local hardware store. CuraFlo??s website offers a brief history of lead materials in water pipes.
If your pipes are the source, epoxy lining will prevent lead leaching into your drinking water. Because the epoxy lining creates a barrier between the metal pipe and the water coming in contact with it, it stops the chemical reaction that causes corrosion. It eliminates and prevents from reoccurring, leaching of lead and other metals into the water, as well as a host of other poor water quality issues such as: discolored water (red, brown, blue or yellow), metallic taste (caused by zinc or iron leeching in galvanized pipes), and water odor or bad taste (caused by bacteria).
Epoxy lining of pipes is not a new technology, just a relatively unkown one. But it?s not unproven ?both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have tested and approved the use of epoxy pipe lining to prevent lead and other contaminants from leaching into drinking water. Links to their reports are available at http://curaflo.com/CuraFlo/ResourceCenter.
government?s highest stadard for safe drinking water: ANSI/NSF Standard 61. ANSI/NSF Standard 61 certification means CuraPoxy is certified for safe use in drinking water pipes carrying water up to 180? Fahrenheit or 82.2? Celsius. The proprietary epoxy and epoxy pipe lining process CuraFlo uses will protect you from lead and other metals in your pipes that may be leaching into your water now or might in the future, by creating a safe barrier between them and your water. - 15266
About the Author:
Dr. Dave Dunn is Vice President of Research and Development for CuraFlo which provides epoxy lining solutions for homes & commercial buildings. Dr. Dave holds a PhD in Polymer Chemistry from the University of Keele in England. You can contact dr dave about plumbing problems or plumbing repair. Internet Advertising
