Effectiveness of Prevailing Flush Guidelines to Prevent Exposure to Lead in Tap Water.

ABSTRACT: Flushing tap water is promoted as a low cost approach to reducing water lead exposures. This study evaluated lead reduction when prevailing flush guidelines (30 s⁻2 min) are implemented in a city compliant with lead-associated water regulations (New Orleans, LA, USA). Water samples (n = 1497) collected from a convenience sample of 376 residential sites (2015⁻2017) were analyzed for lead. Samples were collected at (1) first draw (n = 375) and after incremental flushes of (2) 30⁻45 s (n = 375); (3) 2.5⁻3 min (n = 373), and (4) 5.5⁻6 min (n = 218). There was a small but significant increase in water lead after the 30 s flush (vs. first draw lead). There was no significant lead reduction until the 6 min flush (p < 0.05); but of these samples, 52% still had detectable lead (≥1 ppb). Older homes

SUBMITTER: Katner A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6068841 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature