Water samples from the tap will have to be collected and sent to a qualified laboratory for analysis. However, there is a lead testing kit for teachers to use when teaching this unit or other units on testing lead in water. This kit is located in Kline Biology Lab, Room 205 with Professor Tony Lasaga. You may contact him for the availability of the kit.
Otherwise, contact your local water utility or local health department for information and assistance.
You should be sure that the lab you use has been approved by your state or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as being able to analyze drinking water samples for lead contamination.
Federal standards limit the amount of lead in water fifty (50) parts per billion (ppb). In light of new health and exposure data, EPA has proposed tightening this standard to twenty (20) ppb. If tests show that the level of lead in your household water is in the area of twenty (20) ppb or higher, it is advisable, especially if there are young children in the home to reduce the lead level in your tap water as much as possible. EPA estimates that more than forty (40) million U.S. residents use water that can contain lead in excess of twenty (20) ppb. One ppb is equal to 1.0 micrograms per liter (ug/1 or 0.001 milligram per liter (mg/1).
