Wash., D.C. lead in water problem HUGE

[donsu]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28537-2004Mar3.html

Two Lead Readings Reach Into Thousands
D.C. Households Get No Extra Warning

Lead contamination of tap water in two District houses is so extraordinarily high that experts say the residents might be able to taste it, but city health officials never made more than routine efforts to inform the homeowners of the health risks.

Tests completed last fall revealed that a house in Northeast Washington had a lead level reading of 48,000 parts per billion and that a house in Northwest had a reading of 24,000 ppb, far above the federal limit of 15 ppb, according to a D.C. Water and Sewer Authority database. While WASA officials have said that lead usually cannot be seen or tasted in water, water-quality experts said the levels are so high in the two houses that the lead might be discernible.

-snip-

"It's absolutely outrageous," D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), who represents Columbia Heights, said of WASA's response. "This is a new level of ambivalence to the welfare of the people."

Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) warned during a news conference yesterday that the lead contamination may be broader than previously known and urged testing of homes with copper service lines. WASA officials said they are offering water test kits to any resident who calls the water hotline at 202-787-2732.
-snip-
-----------------------------

what is in your water? the article ends by saying:


"Marc Edwards, an environmental engineer at Virginia Tech who has examined the District's water system as a consultant, said tests he performed showed that linking copper pipes to lead pipes will increase the leaching because the copper acts as a "battery" to decay the lead. This is even more likely if the water running through the pipes has been treated with chloramine, a combination of chlorine and ammonia, Edwards said. WASA has used chloramine since 2000. "


looks like the D.C. water company needs sueing.

looks like all of us in america should get a free water test kit.

[KC]

1. Do you

have any idea where you can get a free water test?

KC

[pacifictiger]

3. maybe lead is why

half of america seems to be brain dead!

[youngred]

2. It's getting rather frightening

I've stopped drinking tap water here, something I've never done.

[havocmom]

4. Wealthy can buy bottled water. Poor can drink lead. Lead causes many

problems in children, not the least of which is related to mental performance. And there isn't much health care for the poor with lead poisoning.

http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/lead.htm

<snip> "Exposure to lead can have a wide range of effects on a child's development and behavior. Even when exposed to small amounts of lead levels, children may appear inattentive, hyperactive and irritable. Children with greater lead levels may also have problems with learning and reading, delayed growth and hearing loss. At high levels, lead can cause permanent brain damage and even death"

But then, the Global Corporate Feudalists don't really want the masses to have bright, capable children, do they?

'Lead in their water? Let them drink champaign...'/sarcasm Compassionate Conservatism my ass.
:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[ex_jew]

5. Is this water served in the White House/Pentagon/Congress etc. ?

Frightening thought