Lead in Drinking Water – Health Risks to Flint Residents

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We have been getting a lot of questions about the health risks associated with drinking unfiltered Flint water. Aside from the obvious statement that “there is no safe level of lead exposure,” we have recent peer-reviewed research from our group that provides useful estimates.

One paper is: Triantafyllidou, S., Gallagher. D. and Edwards, M. Assessing risk with increasingly stringent public health goals: the case of water lead and blood lead in children. Journal of Water and Health. doi: 10.2166/wh.2013.067 58-68 (2014).

Based on our survey, the average lead in first draw Flint water is 10.3 ppb (this was bottle 1 in the survey), and the average lead after 45 seconds of flushing is 10.6 ppb (this was bottle 2). So let’s use the average lead exposure of 10 pbb as the baseline estimate.

According to results in Triantafyllidou et al, (2014), it is estimated that for about 25% of infants drinking formula made from tap water at 10 ppb, their blood lead would rise above the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) level of concern of 5 micrograms/deciLiter (or ug/dL). This is why we emphasized that no one should be feeding their infants formula from unfiltered Flint tap water. The risk is very high.

Children aged 1-2 years old consume less water per unit body weight than infants. Thus, their risk is lower. However, they also tend to get some lead exposure from other sources. If we assume they get “normal lead” from dust and soil exposures, consuming unfiltered tap water at 10 ppb is predicted to raise the blood lead of 25% of the 1-2 year old children above the CDC’s level of concern (5 ug/dL). Thus, again, the risk is significant.

If you cannot afford filters or bottled water, flushing can really help. After 3 minutes flushing in Flint water, the average lead was reduced to 4 ppb (bottle 3 in our survey). Even though we consider this too high, it is still about 3 times lower than that obtained from the first 1 liter or after 45 seconds flushing. Thus, the risk is reduced by 3 times as well. In the case of infants using formula with this flushed water, about 5% are expected to have blood lead elevations about the CDC level of concern. Since we consider this risk too high for our kids, we believe it is too high for Flint’s kids as well. It highlights our warning that nobody in Flint should be using unfiltered tap water to make up infant formula, even after flushing.

We also note that pregnant women consuming unfiltered Flint River water are also at risk. As detailed in our other peer reviewed research publications, even modest elevations in a mothers’ blood lead are hypothesized to increase the risk of miscarriages or fetal death. We retrospectively tested that hypothesis for a time period of high water lead exposure in Washington D.C.; indeed, when lead in water was high, miscarriages and fetal deaths were also high (see article here).

While we are most concerned with lead exposure to pregnant women and children under age 6, no one benefits from lead exposure, even though the health risks are lower for other groups.

Therefore, we reiterate our earlier advice to Flint consumers. Until further notice, Flint tap water should only be used for cooking or drinking if one of the following steps are implemented:

  • Treat Flint tap water with a filter certified to remove lead (look for certification by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) that it removed lead on the label OR see our table below), or
  • Flush your lines continuously at the kitchen tap, for 5 minutes at a high flow rate (i.e. open your faucet all the way), to clean most of the lead out of your pipes and the lead service line, before collecting a volume of water for cooking or drinking. Please note that the water needs to be flushed 5 minutes every time before collecting water for cooking or drinking. For convenience, you can store water in the refrigerator in containers, to reduce the need to wait for potable water each time you need it.

Bottled water is another option.

To help choose filters that are NSF certified for lead removal, we summarized data from NSF/ANSI 53 Certified Lead Filters below in a user friendly table:

PITCHER/POUR OVER FILTERS

Aquasana Inc. (http://www.aquasana.com/)
Model No. Replacement Part No. Service Cycle Before Replacement (gallons) Amazon Link
AQ-PWFS-D-B AQ-PWFS-R-D 320 Go here
AQ-PWFS-D-W AQ-PWFS-R-D 320 Go here
AQ-PWFS-P-B AQ-PWFS-R-D 320 Go here
AQ-PWFS-P-W AQ-PWFS-R-D 320 Go here
AQ-PWFS-RB-2 AQ-PWFS-R-D 320 Go here
AQ-PWFS-RB1 AQ-PWFS-R-R 320 Go here
Zero Technologies, LLC (www.zerowater.com)
Model No. Replacement Part No. Service Cycle Before Replacement (gallons)
ZD-010RP ZF-201 15
ZD-013D ZF-201 15 Go here
ZD-013W ZF-201 15 Go here
ZD-018 ZF-201 15 Go here
ZD-023-1 ZF-201 15
ZP-001 ZF-201 15
ZP-006 ZF-201 15 Go here
ZP-010 ZF-201 15 Go here
ZS-008 ZF-201 15 Go here

FAUCET FILTERS

Culligan International Company (www.culligan.com)
Model No. Replacement Part No. Service Cycle Before Replacement (gallons)
FM-15A FM-15RA 200 Go here
FM-25 FM-25R 200 Go here
WFM-17 WFM-17R 200
Kaz Inc. (Pur) (www.purwater.com)
Model No. Replacement Part No. Service Cycle Before Replacement (gallons)
FM-9100B RF-9999 100 Go here
FM-2000B RF-3375 100 Go here
FM-3700B RF-9999 100 Go here
PFM333C PFF331C 100
FM-3333BNM RF-9999 100 Go here
FM-4000B RF-9999 100 Go here
FM-3500B RF-9999 100 Go here
FM-8100L RF-4050L 100
FM-4100B RF-9999 100 Go here
FM-3333B RF-3375 100 Go here
FM-9600B RF-9999 100 Go here
FM-9400B RF-9999 100 Go here
FM-3400B RF-9999 100 Go here
FM-3000 RF-3050 100
FM-9000B RF-9999 100 Go here
PFM370C PFF991C 100
PFM400C PFF991C 100
The Brita Products Company (www.brita.com)
Model No. Replacement Part No. Service Cycle Before Replacement (gallons)
SAFF-100 FR-200 100 Go here
FF-100 FR-200 100

Primary Author: Dr. Marc Edwards
Filters Table: Anurag Mantha

US EPA to Congressman Kildee: “We are actively working with MDEQ to help the City provide clean and safe water”

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The US Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 Administrator Susan Hedman has responded to Congressman Kildee’s letter. In it, she states that:

“Consistent with the recommendations in the internal memorandum cited in your letter, EPA is working with MDEQ to monitor Flint’s compliance with the federal Lead and Copper Rule. On August 17, 2015, MDEQ notified Flint that additional treatment will be required to optimize corrosion control and the City is taking steps to do so. Experts from EPA’s Office of Research and Development are providing technical assistance to Flint to implement those corrosion control improvements.”

While the letter hasn’t answered several of Congressman Kildee’s questions (including whether Flint water is safe?), more details are expected in a meeting being setup for Monday 9/21.

Read the full response here:

Download (PDF, 222KB)

MDEQ to Congressman Kildee, Sen. Ananich and State Reps: “City has no unresolved violations of state and federal drinking water standards”

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Despite rising concerns about City of Flint’s sampling protocol and reporting of lead results, MDEQ maintains that the City has no unresolved violations of state and federal drinking water standards. On Tuesday, Flint citizens demanded that EPA conduct an independent investigation of MDEQ and the City’s sampling, in light of allegations in the ACLU report.

MDEQ has also now responded to letters from Congressman Dan Kildee and Sen. Jim Ananich, State Rep. Neeley & State Rep. Phelps which are posted below in this article.

For those who want a simple explanation of the legislator’s questions and the MDEQ responses, we provide a summary table below. For some questions posed, there was no response, perhaps it will be forthcoming in the MDEQ briefing next week.

 

Select questions from Congressman Kildee, Sen. Ananich, State Rep. Neeley and State Rep. Phelps: MDEQ’s response (culled from two letters below):
Congressman Kildee:

“The [EPA memo] suggests that there are high levels of lead in the city of Flint, Mich., water transmission lines.”

 

Are the findings of the EPA memo regarding lead levels in Flint water accurate?

—

Sen. Ananich, State Reps Neeley and Phelps:

  • When did the MDEQ become aware of the [EPA memo] and whom was it shared with?
  • Which Flint city officials also received this information?
  • What response did MDEQ hake to the EPA concerns raised in the memo?
  • Were any actions taken by the MDEQ as a result of the issues mentioned in the memo?
  • “The MDEQ does not review or receive draft memos from US EPA, nor would they expect to do it while in a draft form.”
  • Flint water has “no unresolved violations of state and federal standards.”
Congressman Kildee:

“I am very troubled by recent tests$ suggesting high levels of lead in Flint’s water system”

 

Given the demonstrated level of lead in the water in Flint, MI, is the water safe?

 

$ FLINTWATERSTUDY notes: Refers to Virginia Tech’s testing

 

 
  • “Regulations associated with lead […] require communities to monitor water quality at customer taps. […] Any home with lead plumbing or service connections will impart some amount of lead to water samples. […] The City’s monitoring program’s purpose is to show aggregated levels throughout the entire system, not individual home levels.”
  • “Each customer with an individual sample result that exceeds 15 parts per billion is provided information on actions they can take to limit lead exposure in drinking water.”
  • “There has always been detectable levels of lead in the City’s water sampling program for homes that have lead plumbing and service connections” both before and after the switch to Flint River; the switch itself has not resulted in an Action Level exceedance
  • “The City performed extensive home tests for lead […] last year and this year, and is meeting state and federal drinking water standards.”
  • Flint water has “no unresolved violations of state and federal standards.”
Sen. Ananich, State Reps Neeley and Phelps:

“And most importantly, what can be done immediately to ensure safe, affordable drinking water for the citizens of Flint?”
  • “MDEQ is working closely with Flint’s water department and USEPA to ensure Flint residents have ample water that meets state and federal standards.”
  • “MDEQ takes seriously its responsibility to ensure safe drinking water for all Michigan residents.”
Sen. Ananich, State Reps Neeley and Phelps:

What steps, if any, were taken to determine the validity of the Virginia Tech study?

 NO RESPONSE
Sen. Ananich, State Reps Neeley and Phelps:

  • Please explain why the pre-flushing method of sampling was used in this instance.
  • Is it the same method that is applied to all sampling or does the agency have the discretion to decide?
  • Who is responsible for making the decision to pre-flush?
  • The EPA recommends allowing water to rest for at least six hours, but no more than 12 hours, before taking a sample. On MDEQ’s website, it suggests flushing the line for five minutes before the six-hour rest. How did the department arrive at this method?
 “Flint’s test results were conducted according to the same testing protocols every Michigan community uses and the same protocols Flint has used to test its water every three years for the past 25 years.”
Sen. Ananich, State Reps Neeley and Phelps:

 

The EPA memo references the Lead and Copper Rule requirement that systems greater than 50,000 users maintain “corrosion control treatment.” As the regulator, why did the MDEQ choose not to enforce this standard?

 

 “While the results from Flint’s testing show compliance with the federal action level for lead and copper, on August 17, 2015, MDEQ instructed the City to move forward expeditiously with developing additional corrosion control treatment to minimize the corrosive effects between drinking water and lead service connections and home plumbing in the Flint service area.”

 
Congressman Kildee:

 “The [EPA memo] reflects that children consuming this water had levels of lead in their blood in excess of three times what they were prior to the city of Flint switching its source water from Detroit […] to the Flint River.”

 “Local health departments also administer annual blood level testing on children in Flint; results show no discernable rise in levels that might be expected if there was an elevated lead level in the City water supply.”
Congressman Kildee:

“It is the responsibility of these agencies (MDEQ and EPA) to ensure that the people of the city of Flint have safe drinking water.”
  • “MDEQ maintains a robust public water supply regulatory program through long-standing partnerships with the USEPA and the state’s regulated public water systems.”
  • “The MDEQ continues to work with City and federal regulators on the shared goal of ensuring safe, reliable drinking water in this community.”
Congressman Kildee:

If there were high lead levels of lead in the water in the city of Flint, when did the EPA and/or MDEQ plan to alert the public?

  

NO RESPONSE
Sen. Ananich, State Reps Neeley and Phelps:

Who refused the EPA’s offer of expert assistance and why?

 NO RESPONSE
Sen. Ananich, State Reps Neeley and Phelps:

  • Is the damage done to the pipes (as described in the EPA report) accurate?
  • If yes, will damaged pipes continue to leach lead or will properly treated water safely reach consumers?
  • What is the plan and timeline to address it?
 NO RESPONSE

Readers are also encouraged to read the initial letters from Congressman Dan Kildee and Sen. Jim Ananich, State Rep. Neeley and State Rep. Phelps to USEPA & MDEQ and MDEQ respectively.

MDEQ to Congressman Kildee:

Download (PDF, 36KB)

MDEQ to Sen. Ananich, State Rep. Neeley and State Rep. Phelps:

Download (PDF, 440KB)

Primary Author: Siddhartha Roy

Acknowledgements: Dr. Marc Edwards

Flint Town Hall Meeting Presentation and Distribution of lead results across Flint by ward and zip codes

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We will be posting updates from our second Flint trip (Sep 14-16) in the coming days. In the meantime, we wanted to make available both our presentation at the Saints of God Church, Flint MI on Sep 15, 2015 and the lead results from across the City distributed by ward and zip codes; we shared these maps at the Town Hall Meeting earlier this evening.

See the slideshow here:

Download (PDF, 9.55MB)

Maps and data analysis: Rebekah Martin and Min Tang

Flint Ward Map_252 (989x1280) (2)

Flint Zip Code Map_252 - Copy (989x1280)Flint Map with 252 VT Samples (989x1280)

Our VT Research Team wins $50,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to study Flint water

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We are really excited and proud to announce that our research team just won a $50k Rapid Response Research (or RAPID) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The grant proposal titled “Synergistic Impacts of Corrosive Water and Interrupted Corrosion Control on Chemical/Microbiological Water Quality: Flint, MI.” was submitted to NSF in late July.

RAPID grants are  “used for proposals having a severe urgency…., including quick-response research on natural or anthropogenic disasters and similar unanticipated events.”

Read the Virginia Tech press release here.

Read the full proposal here:

Download (PDF, 220KB)

Dr. Marc Edwards serves as Principal Investigator for this grant. He is joined by Drs. Amy Pruden (Civil and Environmental Engineering) and Joe Falkinham III (Biology) who will serve as Co-Principal Investigators. Dr. Brandi Clark and PhD Candidate William Rhoads contributed to writing this NSF proposal.