Is lead in Chicago’s water a risk?
Location
Golden Eagles
Start Date
2-5-2025 9:20 AM
Department
Environmental Science
Abstract
Lead in Chicago area municipal water sources has been a persistent and expensive issue. Lead from old plumbing can leach out into drinking water and cause neurological damage and affect the development of children. The goal of our study was to measure lead concentration in domestic water supplies and frequently-used water sources as well as a public groundwater source. Four samples were obtained from residential water supplies, five from an elementary school, and one each from the following: a park district building, a church community center, a house which recently had its lead pipes replaced, a house that had previously tested high for lead, and a public artesian well. We used atomic absorption spectroscopy to detect if the samples collected contained measurable quantities of lead. We calibrated the instrument using a range of samples from 100ppm-1ppb to create a standard linear curve. Lead concentrations in our samples ranged from 0ppb to 1.11ppb. Selected samples that showed higher concentrations were further tested with EPA-certified test strips to see if they exceeded EPA's limit for exposure (15ppb), but none did. The study provided insight into the low levels of lead in municipal water sources across the various communities studied after testing concluded that the samples were safe. Despite this, there was variability in the lead content of the various samples. Though we found no dangerous level of lead, this research highlights that various locations can have different lead exposures relating to the age of construction and water supply. These quantities may not reach EPA values, but there is no safe value for lead exposure.
Faculty Sponsor
Kenneth Nicholson
Faculty Sponsor
John Kasmer
Is lead in Chicago’s water a risk?
Golden Eagles
Lead in Chicago area municipal water sources has been a persistent and expensive issue. Lead from old plumbing can leach out into drinking water and cause neurological damage and affect the development of children. The goal of our study was to measure lead concentration in domestic water supplies and frequently-used water sources as well as a public groundwater source. Four samples were obtained from residential water supplies, five from an elementary school, and one each from the following: a park district building, a church community center, a house which recently had its lead pipes replaced, a house that had previously tested high for lead, and a public artesian well. We used atomic absorption spectroscopy to detect if the samples collected contained measurable quantities of lead. We calibrated the instrument using a range of samples from 100ppm-1ppb to create a standard linear curve. Lead concentrations in our samples ranged from 0ppb to 1.11ppb. Selected samples that showed higher concentrations were further tested with EPA-certified test strips to see if they exceeded EPA's limit for exposure (15ppb), but none did. The study provided insight into the low levels of lead in municipal water sources across the various communities studied after testing concluded that the samples were safe. Despite this, there was variability in the lead content of the various samples. Though we found no dangerous level of lead, this research highlights that various locations can have different lead exposures relating to the age of construction and water supply. These quantities may not reach EPA values, but there is no safe value for lead exposure.