A new report released in October by the Maryland Department of the Environment found that rates of lead poisoning in Maryland for babies and young children reached a historic low in 2019. Rigorous testing, stricter enforcement and an uptick in proactive treatment of low-level poisoning have contributed to this impressive achievement. By working together with homeowners, property owners and landlords, the state expects to continue their aggressive efforts until there is no lead poisoning in Maryland.
It should be noted that while lead is very uncommon in drinking water, there have been recent reports within the last year of finding lead in the drinking water at Maryland schools. Even small amounts of lead entering your water system can cause serious long term health problems, so testing drinking water to ensure its safety is crucial.
Maryland’s Tough Stance on Lead Poisoning
Maryland has strict lead laws that require all landlords with properties built before 1978 to be compliant with risk reduction standards. The law also requires the state to maintain a database of all homes that have been inspected and registered. When a child has a test with elevated lead levels, the state now investigates numerous environmental factors that could be causing the diagnosis. Additionally, the state offers a Lead Hazard Reduction Loan and Grant Program that has been giving eligible homeowners and childcare facility owners funding to remediate lead on the property and lower the risk of lead poisoning for over three decades.
While the state has made impressive progress, it’s important to note that work is not done. Disparities in lead poisoning in Maryland still exist. In 2019, 0.2% of children 6 and younger who were tested had elevated lead levels. This is the lowest level in over 25 years. Unfortunately, 35% of those children lived in Baltimore City. Residents who live in rural areas are also not exempt from lead poisoning, as homes built before 1978 are more likely to contain lead pipes and old plumbing fixtures and faucets. Corrosion from lead pipes is the most common cause of lead entering the water supply. Water testing is the only way to verify that your drinking water is safe and has not been contaminated.
Why Is Lead Poisoning a Problem?
The Safe Drinking Water Act sets the standards for contaminant levels in drinking water, including lead. Lead is a hazardous toxic metal that can do a tremendous amount of damage even at low levels, which is why the acceptable level of lead content in water is 0. Lead poisoning is particularly dangerous for children and babies, who experience behavioral and physical effects much more rapidly than adults.
In children, low levels of lead exposure can lead to:
- Anemia
- Delayed physical growth
- Lower IQ
- Hyperactivity
- Behavior and learning challenges
If adults are exposed to lead, in small doses or over an extended period of time, they can experience:
- Increased blood pressure
- Hypertension
- Cardiovascular problems
- Fertility and reproductive challenges
- Decreased kidney function
How Can You Protect Your Family from Lead Poisoning?
While progress has been made on lead poisoning in Maryland, water filtration is still necessary to ensure that no old pipes or outdated city pipes could be bringing lead into your home. Hague Quality Water of Maryland offers the Hague WaterMax® BEQ system, which is an innovative solution to help improve the quality of your home’s water. This filtration system is ideal for homes throughout Maryland, particularly those of residents in Baltimore City who are at a higher risk of lead poisoning in Maryland. We can assist you in testing your water and determining what improvements should be made.
The Hague WaterMax® BEQ filters harmful contaminants, sediment and dirt from your home’s water supply. You will spend less on plumbing and pipe maintenance and reduce your dependency on bottled water. Professional water filtration systems, like the Hague WaterMax® BEQ system, allow you to drink water in your home without worry over lead poisoning in Maryland.
Hague Quality Water of Maryland Protects Your Family from Lead Poisoning in Maryland
If your family lives in an older home and you are concerned about lead in your water, we are here to help with your water improvement projects. As a new offering and in addition to our free on-site water test for new customers, we are offering a contact-free water test kit for only $200. This kit is delivered directly to you so that you can take samples and mail them to a professional lab. You’ll receive the results directly and our team can work with you to determine the perfect solution for your situation. Whether you need the Hague WaterMax® BEQ system or additional filtration beyond that, our team cares deeply about the health and safety of your family. To purchase your kit today, click here. For additional assistance, call Hague Quality Water of Maryland at (410) 757-2992.
