Lead is dangerous to everyone and particularly to children. It can cause learning disabilities and lowered IQ. So for decades we have been taking steps to lower the amount of lead in our tap water. We have had some success. But lead in drinking water remains a problem for many families. Part of the reason may be because of the way we test for lead.

Across North America we have spent hundreds of millions of dollars digging up streets and sidewalks to replace water pipes that leach lead into drinking water. But the work has just begun. It will take years and cost millions more to replace old lead pipes.

Lead has a toxic effect on the brain, especially for young children whose brains are still developing.

Barbara McElgunn of the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada says that reduced IQ is just one result of lead exposure. She maintains there is no safe level for lead.

The effects of lead that scientists and pediatricians are most concerned with now go beyond reduced IQ. There are concerns arising from research into the effect of lead on emotional reactivity, aggression, social confidence and social functioning.

Water was tested for lead in 50 homes across the country, including homes from:

• Saint John, New Brunswick
• Toronto
• Hamilton
• Winnipeg
• Vancouver

Half the homes were built before 1970, half were built after 1970.

The results? Fifteen of the fifty homes had lead levels above the national guideline. One even had levels at 250 times the maximum allowable limit.

Most of the problems came from homes built before 1970. Of the 25 homes that were tested that were built before 1970, eleven had high lead levels.

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Lead in drinking water - CBC MARKETPLACE