MSU Extension Food Safety

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state there are no safe levels of lead in human blood. That means no safe blood lead level (BLL) in children has been identified. As the CDC states, even in small amounts, lead in blood can cause learning and behavioral issues, and developmental delays that are permanent. Adults exposed to lead can experience reproductive problems, high blood pressure, muscle and joint pain, nerve disorders and concentration and memory problems according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Adults and children can be exposed to lead through contaminated water from lead pipes, but you can take actions to address this in your living space by following these recommendations from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

According to MDHHS, if you think your home may have, or does have, lead or galvanized plumbing, a service line made of lead carrying water into your home, or faucets sold before 2014, it is recommended to use a certified lead-reducing point-of-use (POU) water filter until you can replace your faucets and/or get a lead inspection and replace needed plumbing.

Testing your drinking water:

You may choose to test your drinking water for lead. Testing the water coming into your home is the only way to be sure if there is currently lead in your drinking water. MDHHS strongly recommends testing your drinking water if you have faucets from before 2014 or live in a home built before 1988 with older plumbing. MDHHS also recommends testing well water for lead every 3-5 years, if you have a private residential well.

Visit Michigan.gov for more guidance on how to test your drinking water in three steps: (1) gathering information about your water source and water quality, (2) finding a certified lab and (3) following all sampling, packaging and shipping instructions.

Using point-of-use water filters and replacing faucets:

When purchasing a POU water filter, the EPA says to look for filters that are both certified by NSF, WQA, IAPMO R&T, UL Solutions, or CSA and have a statement saying they are tested against NSF/ANSI Standards 53 and 42. These specific filters have been evaluated for how well they can reduce lead. For pictures of what the certification marks look like on packaging, please review this EPA factsheet.

MDHHS recommends replacing older plumbing and faucets that may corrode over time, releasing lead into your water. Faucets sold before 2014 can contain up to 8% lead even if they were marked “lead-free”. Replace these with faucets sold after 2014 and make sure they are NSF/ANSI 61 certified. After replacing your faucet, run your water until it goes from room temperature to cold.

To reduce lead in drinking water:

• If your home may have lead or galvanized plumbing, a lead service line bringing water into your home, or faucets sold before 2014, use a certified lead-reducing point-of-use (POU) water until you can replace faucets sold before 2014 and/or get a lead inspection and replace old plumbing.
• Run your water from room temperature to cold before using it for drinking, cooking, rinsing produce, or mixing baby formula, even if you have a water filter. Do not use hot water from your faucet for these uses.
• Only use cold water through your POU water filter.
• Clean your faucet aerators every 6 months.

You may be eligible for a free lead-reducing filter and replacement cartridges:

Eligible Michigan households include those with a Medicaid-enrolled child or children under 19 or a pregnant Medicaid enrollee, and the home has or may have one of the following:

• Lead or galvanized plumbing
• A lead service line connecting the home to the street
• Faucets or fittings sold before 2014

You can receive a free lead-reducing filter upon request. Complete the online Statewide Filter Support Program form. You can also call the MDHHS Drinking Water Hotline 844-934-1315 with any questions.

You may be eligible for a free lead-reducing filter, faucet and plumbing assessment:

Eligible households include those with a Medicaid-enrolled child or children under 19 or a pregnant Medicaid enrollee, and the home has or may have one of the following:

• Lead or galvanized plumbing
• A lead service line connecting the home to the street
• Faucets or fittings sold before 2014

You must also live in one of the following Michigan communities to be eligible:

• City of Albion
• City of Benton Harbor
• City of Detroit
• City of Ecorse
• City of Flint
• City of Hamtramck
• City of Highland Park
• City of Inkster
• City of Muskegon Heights
• City of Pontiac
• City of Saginaw

You can receive a free home visit and plumbing assessment, a free lead-reducing filter, a free faucet replacement and assistance with signing up for Medicaid Lead Abatement program. Please complete the online Lead Services Application. You can also call the MDHHS Drinking Water Hotline 844-934-1315 with any questions.

For answers to your safe food and water questions, call MSU Extension's Food Safety Hotline at 1-877-643-9882. For more information on food safety, visit MSU Extension's Food Safety website.