Lead in Drinking Water as a Public Health Challenge

Zietz, Björn P.; Lass, Jessica; Suchenwirth, R; Dunkelberg, H

doi:10.1289/ehp.1001979

Cited by 18 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Typically, lead gets into tap water after it leaves the water treatment plant, so its monitoring is difficult and somehow impossible to estimate such exposures to lead and other metals, because contamination occurs when the distribution system is not monitored [43]. …”

Section: Findings and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review on status of lead pollution and toxicity in Iran; Guidance for preventive measures

2012

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Lead is an old environmental metal which is presented everywhere and lead poisoning is an important health issue in many countries in the world including Iran. It is known as a silent environmental disease which can have life-long adverse health effects. In children, the most vulnerable population, mental development of children health effects is of the greatest influence. Low level lead exposure can significantly induce motor dysfunctions and cognitive impairment in children. The sources of lead exposure vary among countries. Occupational lead exposure is an important health issue in Iran and mine workers, employees of paint factories, workers of copying centers, drivers, and tile making factories are in higher risk of lead toxicity. Moreover lead processing industry has always been a major of concern which affects surface water, drinking waters, and ground waters, even water of Caspian Sea, Persian Gulf and rivers due to increasing the number of industries in vicinity of rivers that release their waste discharges into river or sea. In addition, lead contamination of soil and air especially in vicinity of polluted and industrialized cities is another health problem in Iran. Even foods such as rice and fishes, raw milk, and vegetables which are the most common food of Iranian population are polluted to lead in some area of Iran. Adding lead to the opium is a recently health hazard in Iran that has been observed among opium addicts. There are few studies evaluated current status of lead exposure and toxicity in the Iranian children and pregnant women which should be taken into account of authorities. We recommend to identify sources, eliminate or control sources, and monitor environmental exposures and hazards to prevent lead poisoning.

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Section: Findings and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review on status of lead pollution and toxicity in Iran; Guidance for preventive measures

2012

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“…There were remarkable regional differences in the frequency of tap water contamination. Multi-family houses were more frequently affected than single-and double-family houses (Zietz et al 2009(Zietz et al , 2010. Most of the samples investigated in the present study were taken in the same area.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…Regional differences in plumbing: Regarding the frequency of lead plumbing and elevated lead concentrations in the investigated region, there are the results of Zietz et al (2009Zietz et al ( , 2010: In Lower Saxony a free examination of drinking water was offered for private households with young women and families with children living in buildings constructed before 1974. Participants were asked to collect a cold tap water sample in their household after nocturnal stagnation and to complete a questionnaire.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Release of Metals from Different Sections of Domestic Drinking Water Installations

Zietz

Richter

Lass

et al. 2014

Water Qual Expo Health

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Different metals can leach from piping materials into the tap water, which can be of health concern. This study investigated in which amount abundant metals were released from different parts of domestic installations into the cold tap water. For the approximate spatial allocation of the metal releasing sources, a sequential water sampling protocol was used after three hours of stagnation time representing the first five litre of the water column. After stagnation ten sample volumes were collected in series. Existing facilities of domestic installations constructed with different plumbing materials were examined predominantly from residential buildings. The elements Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, U and Zn were detected by means of ICP-MS. In total 16 water pipe strands of 11 domestic installation systems were examined. They comprised 401 single water samples and 5,614 single parameters. Depending upon the type of plumbing, different courses and concentration ranges of the elements could be measured in the tap water samples. Terminal taps or installation parts were in all investigated systems responsible for a release of nickel and in several cases of low concentrations of cadmium. The concentration courses of the element zinc proved as a good indicator for the allocation of the metal source to a brass containing section of the installation (zinc as an alloy component of brass). One can conclude that sequential water sampling protocol in combination with multi-element detection can be a valuable non-destructive method for drinking water-hygienic investigations of domestic installations.

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“…As part of the US Lead and Copper Rule, the use of lead pipes, solder, and flux was prohibited and an action level for lead concentrations in water was established at 15 parts per billion (ppb) [32]. Even though these interventions have decreased the amount of lead in water supplies, there continues to be some degree contamination, usually after the water leaves the treatment plant [33]. …”

Section: Other Sources Of Environmental Exposurementioning

confidence: 99%

Perspective on lead toxicity, a comparison between the United States and Iran

2012

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Lead is a pervasive toxin that has been implicated in human poisonings throughout history. Exposure mitigation strategies in the United States and worldwide have led to a decline in symptomatic poisonings and population blood lead levels; however, lead remains a major health hazard. In this article, we review the history of lead toxicity, clinical manifestations ranging from subclinical and subtle features to life-threatening complications, and the subsequent public health interventions in the US. In addition, we explore common routes of lead exposure and the unique differences between the US and Iran. Although the US has made significant strides with regard to this public health issue, lead poisoning in both countries continues to be a health hazard in the adult and pediatric populations. It is also critical to consider natural disasters and reconstruction efforts as potential sources of lead contamination. In conclusion, we make recommendations that both the US and Iranian authorities can implement to eradicate lead as a public health hazard.

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Lead in Drinking Water as a Public Health Challenge

Cited by 18 publications

References 9 publications

A systematic review on status of lead pollution and toxicity in Iran; Guidance for preventive measures

A systematic review on status of lead pollution and toxicity in Iran; Guidance for preventive measures

Release of Metals from Different Sections of Domestic Drinking Water Installations

Perspective on lead toxicity, a comparison between the United States and Iran

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