Lead levels in water misrepresented across the USA

[JoFerret]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1802&e=1&u=/washpost/a7094_2004oct4

Cities across the country are manipulating the results of tests used to detect lead in water, violating federal law and putting millions of Americans at risk of drinking more of the contaminant than their suppliers are reporting.

Some cities, including Philadelphia and Boston, have thrown out tests that show high readings or have avoided testing homes most likely to have lead, records show. In New York City, the nation's largest water provider has for the past three years assured its 9.3 million customers that its water was safe because the lead content fell below federal limits. But the city has withheld from regulators hundreds of test results that would have raised lead levels above the safety standard in two of those years, according to records.

The result is that communities, large and small, may have a false sense of security about the quality of their water and that utilities can avoid spending money to correct the problem.

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[havocmom]

1. Another result: dumbing down America?

Lead does not go hand in hand with proper mental development for children. There is a reason you have to sign a paper about knowing the hazards of lead paint when you buy an old house. But how many really understand it?

[genius]

2. This should be in debate tonight

[proud patriot]

3. Grrrrrrrrrrrr

:mad:

[Eloriel]

4. Interesting comparison with the Roman Empire

whose citizens poisoned themselves via their pewter wine goblets and other pewter food containers -- one of very few things I remember from any history classes during any of my school years, and the reason I remember it is that I thought it was so bizarre.