What is the relationship between the EPA Action Level for water and lead levels in blood?
This is not easily answered and not fully understood. First of all, the EPA Action Level for lead of 15 parts per billion (ppb) in water was established based on reasonable risk assessments. It is the level that, when reached, EPA requires additional corrective and educational actions. It does not necessarily directly correlate to blood lead levels, because lead levels in water may be only one of a number of contributors to lead to humans. As for blood lead levels, they are reflective of a variety of factors, i.e., age, pregnancy, nursing, diet, other lead exposure (dusts, paint chips, soil), and the amount of water consumed daily. In addition, there are health studies that demonstrate that various health effects may be correlated to blood lead levels. • How much lead is harmful? Blood lead levels of 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (mcg/dL) or greater are considered harmful. This level has been associated with decreased intelligence, behavior problems, reduced physical sta
This is not easily answered and not fully understood. First of all, the EPA Action Level for lead of 15 parts per billion (ppb) in water was established based on reasonable risk assessments. It is the level that, when reached, EPA requires additional corrective and educational actions. It does not necessarily directly correlate to blood lead levels, because lead levels in water may be only one of a number of contributors to lead to humans. As for blood lead levels, they are reflective of a variety of factors, i.e., age, pregnancy, nursing, diet, other lead exposure (dusts, paint chips, soil), and the amount of water consumed daily. In addition, there are health studies that demonstrate that various health effects may be correlated to blood lead levels.
