Invest in Clean Water, Reap Benefits Tenfold

Lead exposure, particularly from corroding pipes, has serious health implications, especially for children, contributing to lower IQ and increased ADHD risks, along with potential heart disease in adults. Despite lead's utilitarian properties, the long-term contamination of water is a major concern. The estimated cost of removing lead pipes is around $2 billion annually, yet the anticipated benefits of cleaner water far exceed this cost, projected to be over $20 billion each year, resulting in a benefit-to-cost ratio exceeding ten. Such analysis indicates that addressing lead pipe issues is not only beneficial but also essential, with the potential to save approximately 200,000 IQ points in children, underscoring the critical importance of investing in public health improvements.