EPA's Early Sampling Results Confirm Lead Removal Filters Are Working As Expected

EPA Continues to Recommend Flint Residents Use Filters

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently released early sampling results showing that lead-removal filters are working as expected in Flint homes with high lead levels. The agency continues to recommend that Flint residents use NSF-certified filters in their homes. EPA will continue to sample locations where earlier results detected lead above the NSF filter rating level.

EPA visited homes where high levels of lead contamination were previously detected in sampling by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. At each home, EPA sampled raw water (without filter), water from resident’s existing filters (in-use), and water from brand new filters to determine the levels of lead in the water. Early results show that filters are effective at removing lead from the water.

EPA recommends the following tips for residents to reduce their exposure to lead in water sources:

• Be sure to use filters according to the instructions and replace filters before they expire.
• The safest option for vulnerable populations including pregnant and breastfeeding women and children six years old and under, is to use bottled water. Everyone else can cook and drink with filtered water.
• Residents should clean out their faucet aerators by unscrewing the aerator at the tip of the faucet, and removing any debris that has collected there. Aerators are located at the tip of household faucets and have a screen to collect particles and sediment. Until the system has recovered, EPA recommends that Flint residents clean aerators once a week.

For more information, please visit our website at: www.epa.gov/flint.

For more information on lead exposure, visit http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips/water.htm.