Lead In Drinking Water

Fairfax County
Health Department Public Statement

Lead In Drinking Water

The Fairfax County Health Department is working with county and regional authorities to stay abreast of concerns about lead in drinking water. These regional concerns about lead in water have prompted this opportunity to educate county residents about the role of public health in minimizing the health consequences of lead exposure.

Lead exposure can come from many sources. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) recommends children at age 9-months and at age 2 years be screened for lead exposure. Cases of any child age 15 years or younger with an elevated blood lead level (greater than or equal to 10 micrograms per deciliter) are reported to VDH for statistical record keeping. According to 2002 data, 54 cases in Fairfax County were reported to VDH at an incidence rate of 25.5 per 100,000, which is lower than Virginia's total incidence rate of 37.4 per 100,000.

At the local level, when the Fairfax County Health Department receives a report of someone with a significantly elevated blood lead level, the agency's Lead Response Team - an environmental health specialist and a public health nurse - is sent to the home to conduct an environmental assessment and educate household members about reducing lead exposure.

During a Lead Response Team visit, an environmental assessment is performed to determine all possible sources of lead exposure. Sources include paint, especially in older homes; ceramic dinnerware and glazes; pottery (often imported); soil outside the home; food storage methods; household members' activity hazards (such as working with stained glass or firearm ammunition). The inspector also tests the tap water and inspects plumbing fixtures for lead solder or brass fittings.

Methods to reduce lead exposure in the home include:

• In older homes that may have been painted with lead-based paint (often built before 1978), ensure household members avoid peeling paint and paint dust in window sills. Removal of lead paint is hazardous and should be done by a qualified professional.
• Do not store food in open cans, particularly if the cans are imported.
• Avoid eating from, cooking with or storing food in pottery and ceramic dinnerware that is intended for decorative use or the lead content is unknown. Home lead-check swabs that test ceramics, dinnerware and other surfaces for lead are available to purchase from retailers. To find a retailer, use an online search engine and type in "lead check swabs."
• Eat foods rich in calcium and iron to prevent lead absorption into the body.
• Anyone whose homes were built prior to 1986, or who may be particularly concerned about lead in their household plumbing, should let cold water run from the faucet for 60-90 seconds prior to using water for drinking or cooking, keeping in mind that boiling water does not reduce lead in water.

Additional information can be found on the Fairfax County Emergency Information Page.