Study Finds Increased Health Risks Due to Lead Contamination in Private Wells
Lead pipes are a common source of lead contamination in sources of drinking water. However, even in lead-free pipes, there are small quantities of lead that seep into the water supply. Kelsey Pieper and her research group investigated the drinking water in private wells located within Macon County, North Carolina.
The study was performed in two sections. The first section of the research study examined well water at two homesteads, both locations had children whose tests confirmed elevated levels of lead in the bloodstream. The health department advised both families to avoid consuming the well water and lead-blood concentrations began to decrease. Water quality testing was performed and identified high levels of lead at the site of the wells.
The second portion of the study examined 15 private wells within Macon County with the objective of finding leaching patterns. The largest lead concentrations recorded were right after the faucets were turned on, suggesting resting water built up in the pipes over time leads to the highest recorded concentrations. Researchers conclude that in order to accurately measure lead levels in well water, uniform sampling protocols are needed.