Lead Piping and the Environment

Until around about 1970, houses were traditionally serviced with lead pipes and water tanks. However, with the realisation that they could contaminate the drinking water supply they were phased out.
So what harm does lead do?
Lead In The Environment
Lead is a component of the Earth’s crust and as such is found naturally in the environment. Due to its malleability and low melting point, it has been used since ancient times for many different uses – one of which has been to carry water.Today lead is used in petrol, batteries, paints, and paint strippers, glass manufacturing, and lead shot (for shooting) amongst other things.
Why Is Lead Bad?
Contamination by lead is one of the oldest forms of poisoning.Prolonged and/or high exposure to lead has been shown to lead to blood poisoning, anaemia, damage to the central nervous system, cognitive disruption, kidney damage, abdominal pain, behavioural problems, and many other associated disorders.
It is particularly harmful to children – hence the phasing out of using lead in pencils – when over-exposure can be dangerous.
The History Of Lead Piping
Lead has been used to transport water form thousands of years.The remains of lead water pipes dating back to Roman times have been found in Chester and in fact a segment of pipe found during excavations there bears the following inscription:
“This lead pipe was made when Vespasian and Titus were Consuls for the ninth and seventh times respectively and when Cnaeus Julius Agricola was Governor of Britain' Julius Agricola was Governor of Britain from A.D. 78-86.”
The usefulness of lead as a water carrier continued to be exploited throughout the ages, with well-established systems being set up below the streets of towns like Exeter and Hull in Medieval times to service individual households.
Lead In Recent Times
Lead was commonly used for water pipes and guttering right up until the 20th century when concerns about them as a health hazard caused them to be phased out from the 1950’s and banned from use in 1969. Lead solder as a means of sealing joints in pipes was also finally outlawed by 1987.Lead In Pipes Today
Although lead pipes are not found in newer properties today, if you live in a house built before the 1970’s, it may be that you still have lead pipes or that there is a lead pipe connecting your home with the main supply.If you think this is the case, it would be wise to think about replacing them. For information on how to do this, contact your local council or water supplier as grants and free help may well be available.
Re: Complaining About Smell Pollution
My neighbour cooks what smells like sorry for being crude old underwear they are South African and it reeks for days…
Re: Complaining About Smell Pollution
My neighbour has 4 adults, 3 dogs, that never seem to leave the house, and at least 8 cats, and when they open the back door…
Re: Safety Concerns about Pylons and Phone Masts
Hi does anyone know who is best to complaint to as we live right next to a pylon and my daughter has had…
Re: Complaining About Smell Pollution
Hi My mum owns her own home she is 82 and has lived in this house for over 50 years Her neighbours house really stinks and…
Re: How Paint Pollution Effects the Environment
Plz give details of environment friendly paints, colours and dyes their use , manufacture etc.
Re: Food Miles: The Environmental Impact of Food
So I don't understand people, people make websites to help people in need like me and loads of other people-…
Re: Food Miles: The Environmental Impact of Food
I wish in the new President to destroy Donald trumps wall like who's whith me and I hate Donald trump sksksksksk
Re: Food Miles: The Environmental Impact of Food
This website is really helpful ignore the people who say it isn't they are lying an just can 't read
Re: Food Miles: The Environmental Impact of Food
This helped me with building my wall. I now know to use lorry’s to carry the bricks and DESTROY the world ??…
Re: Food Miles: The Environmental Impact of Food
hi sisterssssssss its janiqua jeeniee hi sisterssssssss its janiqua jeeniee hi sisterssssssss its janiqua…