How Would You Test If Pb Is Present in Drinking Water?
Lead (chemical symbol Pb) is a poisonous metal which occurs naturally in the environment but can cause adverse health effects if breathed in or swallowed. Homes built between 1970 and 1985 may have pipework that is held together with lead-based solder. In such cases, lead can potentially leech from the joints into the home's water supply. There are simple test kits available to check the Pb level in your water supply. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Obtain a drinking water test kit. A range of commercial products are available from hardware and drug stores. Some city councils offer a free water testing service to residents so call your supplier first. Testing kits vary between those that offer instant results and those which require the samples to be sent away for analysis.
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Collect a water sample. The best time is first thing in the morning when water has been sitting in the pipes for at least six hours. Place a one quart plastic container underneath your main drinking water faucet and turn on the cold water until it trickles out slowly.
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Fill the jug then stir the water gently with a plastic spoon. Pour some of the water from the jug into the test tube or sample bottle that came with the testing kit. Either seal the sample and mail it off to the laboratory or add a few drops of the indicator solution and check any color change against the chart supplied with the test kit.
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Reduce your potential exposure to lead while waiting for the results by always taking water for drinking and cooking from the cold tap. Allow the water to run for a minute or so until you feel a temperature change. This will ensure any standing water which has collected lead is flushed through your system.
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Tips & Warnings
Water filters certified by the public health and safety company, NSF International, will remove lead from your drinking water.
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