Getting The Lead Out — At The Faucet

By Ivars Jaunakais

You might be surprised at where you'll find a customer's lead.

Lead is making headlines.

First, we should note that the current attention is not due to water, air or soil contamination, but from lead contamination recently found in toys and children's jewelry made in China. This is very frightening for any parent because of the harm lead can to cause in children. How could this happen? How concerned should you and your customers be about lead?

In view of this heightened awareness, I recently tested the lead levels in water coming out of faucets. In addition, I tested for the presence of lead in the solid particulate material (particles) that may be trapped in the faucet aerator filter and the lead level contained in the metal filter holder or nozzle.