To continue our discussion of lead poisoning and safety with lead please consider:
    A university in North Carolina had a brand new facility built recently. When they performed a lead test on the water they failed! How could a new building have high lead levels? After extensive searches they found that new valves in the system, made of brass, had high levels of lead in them. It is true that brass plumbing fixtures do contain lead. This is why Delta faucet has a new line of faucets to meet the stricter laws in California. What does this mean to you?
Be careful  when purchasing fixtures.You will find very little metal in the Delta line, they are still a very reliable faucet. You can check with the manufacturer before you buy. If you have any concerns about lead in the water of your home it can be tested easily. You can also check with your water supplier if it is a municipal service. (please look to last month's newsletter for safety tips). Also, keep in mind that if you need to remodel, open walls in your home, you will need to have the paint tested if your home was built before 1978- it must be tested before work starts. If the contractor, plumber or any other is not certified by the state, he cannot perform this test. If work proceeds and lead is found the contractor is subject to a $37,000 fine! Call your local government for full details, the town building dept. is a good place to start.
          Please be safe in all life's endeavors, including your drinking water!     
                          
                      Joseph James