Story Tools: PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

In Depth

Water

Lead in the pipes: What experts say

Drinking water and old plumbing

Last Updated June 11, 2007

Although, children and pregnant women are at risk for the most negative side-effects from lead, everyone should keep in mind it's poisonous. (CBC)

By their very nature, the pipes a plumber might work on in your house tend to be made of lead.

After all, the Latin word for lead is plumbum.

For so many post-war suburban homes, pipes that carry water indoors contain this poisonous metal.

Lead systems also funnel drinking water into most Victorian-era homes, common in cities and towns across Canada, like Ottawa and Montreal.

The City of Ottawa estimates about 28,000 homes built before 1955 have lead pipes.

But pipes in newer subdivisions aren't made with lead. And some homes that have had construction done nearby may have had safer copper replacements installed by the city.

This week, the Province of Ontario ordered 36 municipalities to undergo testing after higher-than-normal levels were found in water in homes in London.

Preliminary water tests at Queen's Park also came back abnormal. Seven of 20 tested sources of tap water at the Ontario legislature were found to have higher-than-allowable levels of lead.

'It's dangerous to anyone'

According to many experts, no level of lead is safe.

"Sometimes you hear politicians talking about safe levels and unsafe levels," said Gideon Forman, executive director of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE). "Well, there's no such thing as a safe level of lead, because any amount can make you sick."

Although, children and pregnant women are at risk for the most negative side-effects from lead, everyone should keep in mind it's poisonous.

In fact, male infertility has been connected to higher lead levels in water, paint and fossil fuel emissions.

It is usually associated with more than one source of lead exposure, not just water. For example, a man living in an older home with lead paint and pipes is at higher risk.

For exposure, paint has to be chipping, and is often transmitted to people through dust.

With the switch to unleaded fuel, lead in gasoline is not as much of a concern anymore. But emissions from manufacturing plants and mining can be a problem, especially for nearby homes.

Studies have shown lead damages nerve connections, causing brain and blood deficiencies.

"It's dangerous to anyone. But our major concern is around the developing brain and nervous system for children," said Forman. "Children who are exposed to lead can suffer from learning disabilities, behavioural problems, and IQ can be affected."

Ontario is now requiring schools and day cares built before 1990 to test for lead in tap water annually.

Also a problem in Montreal

Two years ago, water tests conducted with some Montreal wartime houses, built between 1940 and 1950, revealed lead contents slightly exceeding the new Quebec standard.

Then in March, the city warned residents that water sources to certain homes built in the 1960s could also be contaminated.

The homes possibly affected were ones with less than eight units. Some of these were connected to the municipal waterworks system's lead pipes. Water that stagnates in these pipes could cause the lead to dissolve into the water.

“The health and safety of residents is the most important issue here," said Sammy Forcillo, executive member of the infrastructures, roads and water committee. "To remedy the situation permanently, the city will replace the lead connecting pipes at the same time it will replace the lateral mains."

Halifax tests regularly for lead

Since 2000, Halifax has been testing regularly for lead in drinking water across the city.

A sample of 20 homes represents the city geographically, and takes into consideration different types of plumbing systems. The study also tests homes of varying ages.

Samples are taken after water has been sitting in the system, which tends to show higher lead levels.

The study found one of the homes with lead pipes tested slightly higher than the others. But it didn't exceed Canadian lead regulations, according to Reid Campbell, Halifax regional water commission plant operations manager.

The City of Halifax will split the cost of replacing lead pipes with residents. If they don't want to pay, Campbell's team recommends running the water for two minutes before drinking it. In Ontario, the recommendation is five minutes.

"The lead's not coming from the water. The water's absorbing it from the [pipe] service, the solder or brass," explained Campbell.

Ottawa offers a similar replacement initiative as part of a pilot program. The city will replace lead pipes, including the portion on private property that is the homeowner's responsibility, and share the cost with the homeowner. Homeowners are also offered five- and 10-year financing plans to help cover the $2,000 to $3,000 cost.

Mineral buildup cancels out lead

About 15 years ago, the City of Regina found lead concentrations in the water systems of older homes. But the minerals specific to the city's water supply cancelled out possible exposure risks.

"We have a buildup of minerals inside our pipes, so the water isn't actually in direct contact with the lead," explained Ken Wiens, Regina engineering and works department water engineering manager. "There's a film on the inside of the piping. That's our water chemistry, and our water source causes that."

But in other regions, because lead is as common as plumbers, it's best for homeowners to check for themselves, by looking at the pipes between the basement floor and water meter. When scratched with sandpaper, a pipe with lead remains grey. One with copper turns reddish.

Go to the Top

Story Tools: PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

World »

Gulf well's blowout preventer recovered
Investigators will finally get to examine a blowout preventer that failed to stop the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill more than four months ago.
New Zealand quake injures 2
Chimneys and walls crumbled to the ground, roads cracked in half and residents were knocked off their feet as a powerful magnitude-7.1 earthquake rocked New Zealand's South Island early Saturday. The prime minister said it was a miracle no one was killed.
Afghans pull savings from Kabul Bank
Nervous Afghans have pulled more deposits out of the nation's largest bank despite assurances from government leaders that their money is safe.
more »

Canada »

N.S. man dies swimming during Earl Video
Hurricane Earl was downgraded to a tropical storm as it moved over Nova Scotia but brought heavy rain and intense wind, knocking out power to thousands.
Earl causes N.B. travel disruptions Video
Tropical storm Earl caused less havoc than feared in New Brunswick, but disrupted plane and ferry schedules.
Earl brings strong winds to P.E.I.
Tropical storm Earl hit central and eastern P.E.I. on Saturday afternoon, bringing intense wind and heavy rain.
more »

Politics »

Giorno to leave PMO at year's end Video
CBC News has confirmed Guy Giorno, chief of staff to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, is leaving his position at the end of the year.
HST study irrelevant to B.C.: business group Video
The B.C. Chamber of Commerce is dismissing a report from the CD Howe Institute predicting the HST could slow the provincial economy for several years after roll-out.
Harper 'Bloc bashing': MP
The Bloc Québécois MP who accused the prime minister of sending propaganda to high school students says Stephen Harper is taking the opportunity to indulge in "Bloc bashing."
more »

Health »

Hair shows chronic stress link to heart attacks Video
Chronic stress plays an important role in heart attacks, according to an Israeli-Canadian study of stress hormone levels in hair.
Asthma 'spike' looms as school year nears
With the new school year around the corner, parents of asthmatic children are bracing for the "September spike."
Sugar won't quell infants' pain: study
Giving sugar to infants to ease their pain after a blood test may change their facial expressions but not necessarily the pain signals in the brain or spinal cord, a new British study suggests.
more »

Arts & Entertainment»

Queen's portrait by husband unveiled
A 1965 painting of The Queen by Prince Philip is part of a series of images in a book, The Royal Portrait: Image and Impact, that's being released.
K'naan tweets apology over 'insincere' performance
Canadian hip-hop star K'naan has tweeted an apology for a poor performance in Ireland and reveals he's worn out and unhappy about his lack of a lasting relationship.
Kara DioGuardi exits American Idol
American Idol's Kara DioGuardi is leaving the show, leaving Randy Jackson as the only judge remaining.
more »

Technology & Science »

BioWare doubling Montreal employees
Edmonton-based BioWare is doubling the number of employees at its Montreal offices, with the ultimate goal of creating an autonomous studio that will design its own video games.
Rockies fossils yield 8 new species
A surprise fossil field at a glacier in B.C.'s Kootenay National Park contains at least eight new species that lived 505 million years ago.
1st century wall paintings restored in Jordan
British archeologists have completed conservation of rare wall paintings near the city of Petra, Jordan, that are more than 2,000 years old.
more »

Money »

Grain prices spark global supply fears
A crippling drought across much of Eastern Europe has sparked fears of undersupply in the global wheat crop, but even as prices spike, the overall supply remains secure, experts say.
Markets close higher on jobs data Video
U.S. stocks extended their multi-day rally Friday after an encouraging report on jobs lifted hopes about the pace of economic growth.
HST study irrelevant to B.C.: business group Video
The B.C. Chamber of Commerce is dismissing a report from the CD Howe Institute predicting the HST could slow the provincial economy for several years after roll-out.
more »

Consumer Life »

'Flower planting' arrests spark $1.2M suit VideoAudio
A couple has filed a $1.2-million lawsuit against the RCMP and officials in an Alberta village alleging they were falsely arrested and handcuffed in a dispute that started when they planted flowers at their summer campsite two years ago.
Fashion retailer Jacob stops photo retouching
Women's fashion retailer Jacob has decided to bid adieu to the practice of retouching photos to alter the body shapes of models.
Baby carrot campaign pitches veggies as cool
Baby carrot farmers are launching a campaign that pitches the little, orange, crunchy snacks as daring, fun and naughty — just like junk food.
more »

Sports »

Scores: NHL NBA

Canada falls to Peru in soccer friendly
The Canadian men's national soccer team returned home Saturday night for the first time in almost two years, but failed to reward their long-suffering fans, losing 2-0 to Peru in an international friendly.
Jays sunk by Thames homer, Bautista ejection
An unfortunate seventh inning condemned the Toronto Blue Jays when Jose Bautista was ejected and Yankees right fielder Marcus Thames homered to secure a 7-5 win for New York.
Sharapova advances at U.S. Open
Maria Sharapova knows the story all too well: An unknown American kid shows up at the U.S. Open, upsets a seeded player, gains some buzz and belief, then gets a shot at Sharapova in the third round.
more »