Unleaded

Lead exposure can irreversibly harm childhood brain development as well as the development of fetuses and infants dependent on reconstituted formula. In summer 2016, tests were ests coordinated by the Philly Unleaded Project, a citizen-led coalition of Philadelphia residents concerned about the potential hazards of our drinking water. “We are an independent, not-for-profit, and impartial alliance seeking to find accurate answers about the quality of the water in our homes.” (Philly Unleaded is prominently featured in C&C program 2.)

Tony Spagnoli and Jonathan King, the co-founders, say “We launched the Philly Unleaded Project to obtain more precise information about lead levels in our tap water than currently required by law. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) mandates monitoring for lead in water at a small number of high-risk homes and ensuring that there is no severe and widespread contamination. A water utility’s compliance with the LCR, however, offers no guarantee that lead-in-water levels at individual homes are not high or even extremely high. Our goal is to offer residents at all homes (high-risk and not) the opportunity to test their tap water.

Analysis of our water samples will be conducted by Virginia Tech. A complete lead test will cost $65 per test kit (this is the at-cost value of the kit, which includes shipping and analysis). Each kit will include three sample bottles for testing a single tap. Financial assistance is available to households in need.”

http://phillyunleaded.org/