New study: Leaded plumbing components a significant source of lead exposure in rural West Africa

Lead exposure through water is not only a problem in Flint. My latest news article for Environmental Health Perspectives covers a new study in the journal on heavy metals in drinking water in parts of rural West Africa. Its main finding is that lead-containing brass plumbing fittings are a significant source of lead exposure for residents of these areas who rely on community taps/wells, often installed by NGOs, for all of their water. There is no safe level of lead exposure. The solution, the authors report: lead-free plumbing components must be made available and put to use for all repairs and future projects. Read the full story here.