In a blog article published on February 3, 2017 by the non-profit organization Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Tom Neltner, chemicals policy director at EDF, reports on U.S. children’s exposure to lead from different sources. According to a recent report on “Proposed modeling approaches for a health-based benchmark for lead in drinking water” released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), water is the main source of lead exposure for formula-fed infants and food appears to be the main source of lead exposure for two thirds of toddlers. Neltner explains that “there is no safe level of lead in children’s blood” and thus “even low levels are likely to impair brain development, contributing to learning and behavioral problems and lower IQs.” In light of EPA’s findings, he concludes that “lead contamination in food needs to be a greater priority for FDA [(Food and Drug Administration)] and with food manufacturers;” also “lead [water] service lines can present a significant source of lead exposure.”
Read more
Tom Neltner (February 3, 2017). “When it comes to lead, formula-fed infants get most from water and toddlers from food, but for highest exposed children the main source of lead is soil and dust.” EDF Health
Reference
EPA (January 2017). “Proposed modeling approaches for a health-based benchmark for lead in drinking water.” (pdf)
