PWSA plans to add a chemical to the water that is expected to bring lead levels down in homes known to have lead pipes or solder, though there is no known safe level of lead in water.
Prior to the 1950s, doctors thought lead poisoning was mostly a risk for industrial workers. Then, a doctor's hunch to test kids for lead revealed the issue was far more widespread than anyone had imagined.
Old pipes aren't the only way lead can get into your drinking water. The faucets and fittings and solder on the pipes inside your house can also contain lead. But if you want to replace older plumbing, it’s not always easy to find the right products at the hardware store.
If you have an older home, there's a pretty good chance you also have lead paint. But there are some simple things you can do to keep your family safe.
First things first — don't panic. There is plenty you can do to protect your children, and if you take the necessary steps, most kids recover just fine.
The decision to switch to a cheaper, less-effective treatment chemical was likely a major contributor to the recent spike in lead levels in Pittsburgh's drinking water.
