For Release: IMMEDIATE
Date: August 10, 2006

State Division of Public Health Issues Findings of Durham Lead Study

Reiterates Advice for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water

RALEIGH – The N.C. Division of Public Health today announced results from its study of lead levels in Durham's public water supply. Based on the study's findings, State Health Director Dr. Leah Devlin reiterated long-standing public health advice to reduce lead in drinking water for anyone living in a home built prior to 1986.

" The advice is the same for anyone living in a home built prior to 1986 when lead was banned in plumbing," Devlin said. "There are some simple things you can do to get rid of lead in your water. Those steps, like running your tap water after it has been off for a while before you use it and always using cold water to prepare foods ensure that lead is reduced. As a precaution, we are also advising Durham households that include pregnant/breastfeeding women or children under the age of six living in these older homes to have their water tested."

Durham County Health Director Brian Letourneau said his department is already sampling elementary schools that were built prior to 1986. This is a repeat of 2004 sampling that showed one school - Y.E. Smith Elementary – to have elevated levels of lead in its drinking water. That school now uses bottled water.

" We also would like for child care facilities built prior to that time to get their water tested as well," he said. "Operators of those facilities can contact the health department to arrange testing. And, our standing public health advice is that all pregnant/breastfeeding women and children under the age of two should have their blood lead levels tested."

Letourneau noted that the Durham water treatment system is in compliance with all state regulations and that the problem occurs inside older homes. "The water leaving the treatment plant doesn't have elevated lead, and it isn't elevated when it flows through the city's distribution system," he said. "But when it enters these older homes it comes in contact with lead. The lead is leached out and ends up in the tap water."

Durham changed one of the chemicals used in the treatment process, and the city is exploring whether that change may have contributed to the elevated lead levels. In early July, Durham adjusted its process again. Of 42 samples taken prior to the change, 14.2 percent had levels of lead elevated above the standard. Of 61 samples taken after the change, just 3.3 percent were above the standard.

The following recommendations will reduce lead in water and should be followed by anyone living in a home built prior to 1986 anywhere in the state:

• USE ONLY WATER FROM THE COLD WATER TAP FOR COOKING AND DRINKING: Hot water can dissolve lead more quickly than cold water. Boiling your water will not reduce the amount of lead in your water.
• RUN WATER THROUGH YOUR TAP BEFORE CONSUMING: After water has been sitting in the pipes for more than six hours run your cold water for two to four minutes before using it to drink or prepare food. During the day, run the water for a minute before consuming.
• REMOVE AND CLEAN STRAINERS/AERATORS FROM YOUR FAUCETS EVERY TWO TO THREE WEEKS.

For information on lead screening for children, contact the Durham County Health Department at 560-7845. For information on water testing, contact the city at 560-1200.

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