Lead Contamination is Preventable with Epoxy Pipe Lining
The primary material for water pipes in major U.S. cities, between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was lead. Its durability and malleability made it a very popular choice for pipe material. Eventually galvanized steel and copper would replace lead, and copper pipe would eventually become the most popular material used in home water service and distribution in mid to late 20th century construction.
Pipe corrosion and erosion-caused lead contamination, was the top source of lead-related health issues before the hazards of ingesting lead were realized. Stillbirth and high infant mortality were two of the worst effects of lead ingestion. Many other plumbing or pipe problems are easy to detect by seeing or listening, but without specifically testing for it, there is no way to detect lead in your water. The EPA offers general information about lead contamination and how to test for it on its website.
If you have lead in your water, it?s generally because of one (or more) of these: lead-based solder which used to be the primary way to join copper pipes, a lead service line pipe linking your house to the city or town water main, and brass (or chrome-plated brass) faucets. The U.S. Congress banned the use of lead solder containing greater than 0.2% lead in 1986. It also limited the lead composition of pipes, faucets, and all other plumbing materials to 8.0%.? As a result of this legislation, ?lead-free? brass legally can contain no more than 8% lead and plumbing installed before 1986 possibly contain higher levels of lead.
Water lines from the city or town water main to a home or building?s water system may be a lead pipe in older structures. If you or a previous owner of the structure had your plumbing system upgraded since 1960, it?s probably composed of galvanized pipe. Galvanized pipe doesn?t need lead solder to be joined. Faucets need to be checked for brass or chrome-plating, you?re the original manufacturer, a local hardware store, or a licensed plumber should be able to tell you if yours contain either.
If your pipes are the source, epoxy lining will prevent lead leaching into your drinking water. Because the epoxy lining creates a barrier between the metal pipe and the water coming in contact with it, it stops the chemical reaction that causes corrosion. It eliminates and prevents from reoccurring, leaching of lead and other metals into the water, as well as a host of other poor water quality issues such as: discolored water (red, brown, blue or yellow), metallic taste (caused by zinc or iron leeching in galvanized pipes), and water odor or bad taste (caused by bacteria).
A relatively unknown technology, epoxy pipe lining is not a new technology, –in fact it?s well proven. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Navy have both ested and approved the use of epoxy pipe lining to prevent contaminants, including lead, from leaching into drinking water. Their reports are published and links to them can be found at http://curaflo.com/CuraFlo/ResourceCenter. The epoxy used by CuraFlo in epoxy pipe lining, CuraPoxy?, is certified to meet the U.S.
government?s highest stadard for safe drinking water: ANSI/NSF Standard 61. ANSI/NSF Standard 61 certification means CuraPoxy is certified for safe use in drinking water pipes carrying water up to 180? Fahrenheit or 82.2? Celsius. The proprietary epoxy and epoxy pipe lining process CuraFlo uses will protect you from lead and other metals in your pipes that may be leaching into your water now or might in the future, by creating a safe barrier between them and your water.
