EPA’s Latest Sampling Results Confirm Lead-Removal Filters are Working in Flint
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Category: Emergency ResponseType: News
Source: EPA
Date: Wednesday, February 17th, 2016
E.P.A. Continues to Recommend Flint Residents Use Filters
FLINT, MICH. -- The E.P.A. today released additional sampling results showing that lead-removal filters are working as expected in Flint homes with high lead levels, confirming results released earlier. The agency continues to recommend that Flint residents use NSF-certified filters in their homes.
E.P.A. visited homes where high levels of lead contamination were previously detected in sampling by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. At each home, E.P.A. sampled raw water (without filter), water from resident's existing filters (in-use), and water from new NSF-certified filters to determine the levels of lead in the water. E.P.A. also re-visited some homes with high lead levels it sampled previously, and re-tested water from their filters. The latest results show that NSF-certified filters are effective at removing lead from the water. E.P.A. shares results directly with the homeowners immediately upon receipt, and removes all personal identifying information prior to posting the data online.
The safest option for vulnerable populations, including pregnant and breast-feeding women and children 6 years old and under, is to use bottled water. Everyone else should use filtered water for cooking, drinking and their pets. E.P.A. recommends the following tips for residents to reduce their exposure to lead in water sources:
- Residents should be sure to use filters according to the instructions and replace filter cartridges before they expire.
- Residents should clean out their faucet aerators by unscrewing the aerator at the tip of the faucet, and removing any debris that has collected there. Aerators are located at the tip of household faucets and have a screen to collect particles and sediment. Until the system has recovered, E.P.A. recommends that Flint residents clean aerators once a week.
E.P.A. Fact Sheet on the use of lead filters and keeping families safe:
http://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-02/documents/flint_unified_28.pdf
For more information, please visit our website at:
www.epa.gov/flint.
For more information on lead exposure, please visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips/water.htm.
Residents with questions regarding EPA's response can contact EPA's toll-free hotline at 810-434-5122, or email E.P.A. at [email protected].
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