Lead Taints Water Supply in Brick, N.J.

December 16, 2014- Lead-contaminated water flows through nearly half of township homes in Brick, N.J., recently tested for the dangerous element, according to state regulators.

Water in at least one of 34 homes in the study had more than 12 times the maximum level allowed by federal regulations, said Lawrence Hajna, spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection.

State and local officials emphasize that they believe the source of contamination is not water provided by the Brick Municipal Utilities Authority, but the pipes and other materials inside homes that likely contain lead.

But the authority has not contacted residents of homes that tested high for lead to recommend they get blood levels checked or to consider updating their pipes. Instead, residents were mailed a notice recently about the study's findings.

Infants and children who drink lead-laced water could develop learning abilities, according to the EPA. Adults who drink the water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.

The EPA caps lead in water at 15 parts per billion. Lead levels in 16 homes ranged from 15.5 ppb to 184.5 ppb.

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