Lead in Drinking Water

Abstract

In most cases of lead poisoning, drinking water is not the primary cause, but only a contributing factor. Drinking water contributes about 20% of the lead exposure for an average 2-year-old, and from 5 to 50% for children generally. However, in some homes with corrosive water and lead pipes or fairly new lead solder, water could be the primary exposure route for lead. The most alarming occurrence of drinking water causing severe lead poisoning is that of an infant fed formula made with lead-contaminated tap water, in which case the water can account for 85% of the lead exposure, and can result in quite severe lead poisoning.1