Are lead pipes still being used to transport drinking water in the US?
Yes
Although new lead pipes for drinking water supplies have been banned at the federal level since 1986, leftover lead pipes from older water infrastructure remain in use. Contamination occurs when improperly treated water corrodes the pipes, causing lead to leach into the water. This happened in Flint, Michigan, when the city switched its water source to the Flint River, causing the amount of children with dangerously high blood-lead levels to double, compared to no change in cities outside of Flint. Side effects of lead exposure include decreased fertility, low birth weight, and learning impairments. Other major cities have had lead contamination crises in the 21st century, including Washington, D.C., and Newark, N.J. Removing all lead pipes from the U.S. water supply would require an investment of about $45 billion.
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