The history and dangers of lead pipes

Lead pipes have been used for thousands of years, including in the water infrastructure of ancient Rome. However, the recognition of lead's toxicity came in the mid-1960s with the understanding of the health effects of leaded gasoline. Despite the awareness, lead pipes still persisted in water systems, especially in older cities. The neurotoxic effects of lead, especially on children, prompted efforts to address the issue, leading to the introduction of the EPA's lead and copper rule in 1991. While the rule made progress, incidents such as the water crisis in Washington, D.C., and Flint drew attention to the continued problem. Finally, the Biden administration's EPA is proposing a plan to remove all lead pipes in the country within the next 10 years.