Lead Exposure Testing - IEP Urgent Care Jackson​

Public Notice from the City of Jackson Department of Public Works:

 

Your drinking water service line material is unknown, but we are working toward identifying service line materials throughout the water supply. Because your service line material is unknown, there is the potential that some or all of the line could be made of lead or galvanized pipe that was previously connected to lead. People living in homes with a lead, or galvanized pipe previously connected to lead, service line have an increased risk of exposure to lead from their drinking water. This letter serves to notify you of this risk and provides information to help you reduce your risk of lead exposure. Please share this information with anyone who drinks and/or cooks using water at this property.

​

Health Effects of Lead

 

Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of persons who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.

 

Steps you can take to reduce your exposure to lead in your water

 

Below are recommended actions you may take, separately or in combination, to reduce your exposure to lead in your drinking water. The list also includes where you may find more information and is not intended to be a complete list or to imply that all actions equally reduce lead in drinking water.

 

Consider using a lead-reducing filter.

 

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends Michigan households use a certified lead-reducing drinking water filter if your home has or if you are uncertain if it has a source of lead, such as one of the following:

​

• A lead service line, or galvanized service line previously connected to lead, carrying water from the street to your residence.

• Lead or galvanized plumbing.

• Copper plumbing with lead solder before 1988 (EGLE recommendation).

• Old faucets and fittings that were sold before 2014.

 

Look for filters that are tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction and NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for particulate reduction (Class 1).

 

Run your water to flush out lead-containing water.

 

The more time water has been sitting in your home's pipes, the more lead it may contain. Therefore, if your water has not been used for several hours, run the water before using it for drinking or cooking. This flushes lead-containing water from the pipes. Because it is not known whether your home has a lead service line or galvanized service line that was previously connected to lead.

 

• Run the water for at least five minutes to flush water from your home or building's plumbing and the lead service line.

 

• Use cold water for drinking and cooking. Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water tap; lead dissolves more easily into hot water.

• Boiling water does not remove lead from water. Filter cold water, then boil the filtered water as necessary.

 

• Clean your aerator. The aerator on the end of your faucet is a screen that will catch debris. This debris could include particulate lead. The aerator should be removed at least every six months to rinse out any debris.

 

• Check for other sources of lead. In addition to your service line, other plumbing in your home may contain lead and could increase the levels of lead in your drinking water. These may include faucets, valves, and soldered joints. It is recommended that homeowners contact a licensed plumber and have a plumbing assessment done to determine if your in-home plumbing is a source of lead in your drinking water.

 

• Test your water for lead. If you wish to get your drinking water tested, call your water supply or use a certified lab. To find a certified lab, go to Michigan.gov/EGLElab and click on “Certifications”.

 

• Learn about construction in your neighborhood. Construction may cause more lead to be released from a lead service line or galvanized service line if present. Contact us to find out about any construction or maintenance work that may disturb your service line.

 

• Learn about your drinking water. Read your water supply's Annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) that is mailed to you each year or find it at your local water utility's website.

 

Get your child tested to determine lead levels in their blood.

 

IEP Urgent Care Jackson can perform a blood test for lead and provide information about the health effects of lead. State, city, or county departments of health can also provide information about how you can have your child's blood tested for lead. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention recommends public health actions when the level of lead in a child's blood is 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dL) or more.

 

For more information and links to CDC's website, please visit https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water