Newswise — The water crisis in Flint, Michigan, triggered concerns about potential hazards of lead poisoning in homes. Joseph Laquatra, Cornell University professor of design and environmental analysis is available for interviews about lead contamination in water, and what health officials should be doing to better inform and protect citizens.

Bio: http://www.human.cornell.edu/bio.cfm?netid=jl27

Laquatra says:“Although the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has set 5 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood as a reference level for public health actions, research has demonstrated that there is no threshold for health problems associated with lead exposure. In other words, there is no safe level of contact with lead.

“Drinking water can become contaminated with lead in numerous ways. Lead emissions from coal-fired power plants can contaminate water supply sources. Lead-tin solder was used in water supply pipes until 1986. This solder was used to seal joints in copper pipes. In homes that have these pipes that were installed before 1986, lead levels can build up in water when it is not flushed from faucets.

“The federal Lead and Copper Rule or LCR, requires water companies to initiate lead water pipe replacement when lead levels in water exceed 15 parts per billion. But the LCR allows water utilities to replace only the public portion of lead pipes. The private portion of these pipes, from the main service line to a house, can be left in place.

“When partial replacement is undertaken, that disturbance results in a rise in lead levels in water. Millions of homes in the U.S. have lead service lines as part of their water supply systems. In many lead pipes mineral build-up inside the pipes can prevent lead from leaching into water. But when the water supply is treated with chemicals, that build-up can be removed and lead can again contaminate water.”
Cornell University has television, ISDN and dedicated Skype/Google+ Hangout studios available for media interviews.