Does water fluoridation result in pipe corrosion or increased lead in drinking water?
Water fluoridation does not increase corrosion of pipes or cause lead to leach (dissolve) from pipes and household plumbing fixtures. Although lead in public drinking water is typically found to be very low or is below laboratory detection, there are locations where old lead pipes, solder, or plumbing fixtures in old homes may leach lead into water. This is principally a problem in some older homes because newer homes have been constructed in accordance with new plumbing standards that prohibit the use of lead in plumbing pipes and fixtures. Ask your local water utility system if there have been problems with higher lead levels in water from older homes in your community. Claims that fluoride might result in increased lead leaching from pipes and fixtures have not been substantiated in the peer-reviewed literature.
Related Questions
- Where can I find advice on drinking water quality issues, such as discoloured water, taste and odour problems, lead in drinking water and/or water hardness?
- Does water fluoridation result in pipe corrosion or increased lead in drinking water?
- Does Fairfax Water have elevated levels of lead in its drinking water?
