More downers from the New York Times--turns out, drinking hot water from the tap increases exposure to lead poisoning, as hot water tends to dissolve contaminates from within your own plumbing:
Lead is rarely found in source water, but can enter it through corroded plumbing. The Environmental Protection Agency says that older homes are more likely to have lead pipes and fixtures, but that even newer plumbing advertised as “lead-free” can still contain as much as 8 percent lead.
Scientists emphasize that the risk is small. But to minimize it, the E.P.A. says cold tap water should always be used for preparing baby formula, cooking and drinking. It also warns that boiling water does not remove lead but can actually increase its concentration.
-ANAHAD O’CONNOR, NYT
Did you get all that? Boiling hot tap water concentrates existing lead, so for cooking, hot beverages, and particularly for folks making formula for little ones, run and boil COLD tap water, please! Thank you!
(Seems I'm going through an precautionary, apocalyptic phase of sorts...this is my way of loving you, dammit!!)
My housemate has one of those Brita filter pitchers for this reason, but never thinks to wash it, so at some point the buildup of mold and slime is probably worse than whatever lead we might be drinking. Personally I like the ones that attach onto your faucet.
Posted by: Ben | February 01, 2008 at 12:14 PM
I've lived in NY all of my life, and at an early age I was taught to never drink hot water from the faucets.
The time or two that I have tried it, that water has been quite gross...and not even really hot.
Posted by: Reavinator | February 01, 2008 at 02:03 PM