Following the announcement of lead in the City of Dauphin’s water, Prairie Mountain Health is trying to educate residents of its impacts.
A Medical Officer of Health for PMH, Dr. Amy Frykoda, explains the health impacts.
“Exposure to lead for health can cause a wide range of health effects. The exposure for humans to lead has declined significantly in the last 30 years and this is due to the removal of lead in gasoline and lead in paint. But we do know there’s new information now from Health Canada that has shown that lower levels of lead can affect human health more than was thought in the past, and this is particularly important for children’s health.”
Dr. Frykoda continues on about how children are more susceptible to lead in water.
“How lead works is that lead can affect the developing brain and children are more sensitive to this, and these exposures to lead for children can be associated with developmental delays of childhood behaviours, decrease in language skills (and) intellectual disabilities.”
High levels of exposure for long times for adults can result in issues with digestive function, kidney function, increased blood pressure, heart disease, fatigue, depression, nerve damage, memory loss, concentration and insomnia.
Showering and bathing in water with increased lead levels does not absorb through the skin, and is not considered a risk.
If you have a home with a lead service line, it is recommended that you replace all taps that are certified in reducing lead as drinking water, and activities such as brushing your teeth may be harmful to your long term health.
