WaterSafe Lead in Water Test Kit

How do they know lead's in the water?

Simple testing for lead should take place on water distributed by public water systems on a regular basis.

How much lead in drinking water is harmful to me?

Pretty much all water quality experts agree that drinking water with lead concentrations of 15ppb (parts per billion) or more should not get consumed by pregnant women or children.

Drinking water that contains lead concentration up to15ppb should get filtered if native to the water supply or flushed with cold water if it comes from a building's plumbing, fixtures, faucets, etc.

Where did the lead come from?

OK, so we (now) know lead in drinking water not only exists, but that it definitely poses a larger threat to the general population than many people imagined.  So where did the lead come from?

• Banned in the mid-1980's and not widely used since before World War II, lead pipes ran through older buildings.
• Banned at around the same time as lead plumbing in homes, the solder used to connect copper tubing used in plumbing often contained high levels of lead.
• Older fixtures, fittings, and valves made of brass sometimes contained lead.
• If water mains and/or plumbing leading to a faucet contain lead, the possibility exists that bits and flakes of lead may break loose and get caught in the faucet's screen.
• For a long time water mains running from water treatment plants to homes, schools and businesses contained lead -- and some still do.
• Many drinking water fountains manufactured before the late 1980's contained lead components.

While the above methods by which lead may enter the tap water of a home, school, or business represent the most common sources of lead contamination, please keep in mind that other means of contamination may exist, as well.

How can I tell if plumbing in my older home is made of lead?

When scratched, a lead pipe will appear shiny at the location of the scratch while the rest of the pipe usually has a dull gray color.

SenSafe Heavy Metals Water Check

I have well water and PVC plumbing... so am I safe?

Not necessarily.  Lead occurs naturally in the environment so well water experts suggest periodic testing for lead in well water along with other critical water quality parameters.

If no 'events' threaten the integrity if a well, then many well water experts believe annual testing for critical water quality parameters (like dissolved lead) should suffice.

Is testing for lead in water expensive?

No, not really.  A basic DIY water test kit for dissolved lead in water from WaterSafe costs less than $15 and takes just a few minutes to perform.

BUT, should a basic test kit indicate the potential presence of dangerous levels of lead in your water, laboratory testing to determine the full extent of lead contamination will cost a bit more.

And if a simple test shows I have lead in my water?

If you test your water and get a positive result for lead, then we suggest having your water tested by a qualified water testing laboratory so that you can determine the extent of contamination and begin your search for the appropriate water treatment system.  Sites like Filter-Drinking-Water.Com, FilterWater.Com, and FiltersFast.Com offer selections of filters that efficiently reduce quantities of lead and other unwanted heavy metals in drinking water.

Manganese in Water Test

Arsenic in Water Test Kit

Cyanide in Water Test Kit

Heavy metal poisoning...

It sounds like something older folks say younger people get while listening to Slayer, Megadeth and other heavy metal bands, but it actually deals with what happens to the human body when exposed to higher than normal levels of metals like  copper, manganese, cadmium, zinc, thallium, mercury, arsenic, gold, silver, iron, lead, etc.

Heavy metals poisoning occurs when toxic levels of metals accumulate in the body's soft tissue.  A number of heavy metals such as zinc, copper, chromium, iron and manganese play critical roles in keeping the body functioning properly BUT if ingested in high enough quantities those previously beneficial metals become toxins in the body and may cause serious, sometimes irreversible damage... which may culminate in serious illness or death.

Most often incidents of heavy metal poisoning in humans result from overexposure to metals like lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium.  Exposure may have happened as a result of on-the-job exposure, accidental ingesting of contaminated water and/or air, tainted foods, improperly prepared medicines, food and beverage container liners, and the ever popular hobby of eating lead paint chips.

How much metal is TOO much metal in my drinking water?

It varies by contaminant and for more specific information on this topic we suggest checking out the  EPA's Primary and Secondary Drinking Water Standards.  Those lists break down contaminants into two categories:  1) Potentially damaging to health; 2) Potentially damaging for aesthetic (taste, odor, discoloration, etc.) reasons.

Removal of metals from drinking water

Before purchasing a water quality improvement system (AKA: a water filter) one should always have their water tested either using at-home water quality test kits or by a certified water testing laboratory.  Companies such as National Testing Laboratories offer mail-in water testing packages and typically provide results in 7 to 10 business days.

Total Copper in Water Test

Chromium in Water Test

Mercury in Water Test

Thank you, Jim, for your inquiry.

The Heavy Metals Check product detects, as you quoted, "Cadmium, Cobalt, Cupric Copper, Ferrous Iron, Lead, Mercury, Nickel, Zinc and other metals with a +2 state valence shell" according to the manufacturer.

Regrettably the manufacturer has not made much more information than that available to the public... and yes, we have asked more than once in the past.

As far as detecting tin and titanium goes, at this time we do not know of a simple dip and read test that detects those metals. The manufacturer of Heavy Metals Check manufactures a line of meters that MAY offer ion selective detection of tin and titanium, though, so that may be worth checking out.  We suggest visiting www.sensafe.com and exploring the capabilities of their latest water testing meters.

Mail-in water testing services

Companies such as National Testing Laboratories offer mail-in water testing services that provide prompt water test results from accredited laboratories in approximately 10 to 14 business days and have a range of testing packages available that range from very basic to fairly comprehensive (though we do not see tin or titanium in any of the testing packages we carry...)

• WaterCheck Fluoride Testing Package
• WaterCheck City-Check Basic
• WaterCheck City-Check Deluxe
• WaterCheck Well-Check
• WaterCheck 1 & 2

Today’s inquiry came from ‘John J’ who asked, “I am looking for a kit to check my drinking water for mercury lead and aluminum.. can you please recommend a product or products?”

The Water Test Kit Store carries several products for testing metals in drinking water.

General Metals Test – SenSafe Heavy Metals Check performs a general test for metals and will let you know if you have any of a number of dissolved metals present. It gives a reading of the total dissolved metals in a water sample. It does not, however, break down the reading by individual metal ion.

WaterSafe Lead in Water Test – A pass/fail water test for dissolved lead in drinking water that yields positive results if a sample contains 15ppb or more dissolved lead. The test will read ‘negative’ for dissolved lead quantities under 15ppb.

Boris’ Mercury Test – Simple test for dissolved mercury in drinking water that has a low detection level equal to the USEPA action level for public water systems (.002 ppm) and a high detection level of .08 ppm. Testing takes just 60 seconds to perform and requires no mixing of chemicals, crushing of tablets, etc.

Regarding your request for an aluminum test, we do not know of an at-home drinking water test kit specifically designed to test for aluminum BUT we do know that the WaterCheck 1 & 2 mail-in testing package for 30 different water quality parameters contains a test for aluminum.

Good evening, Blair, and thank you for your inquiry.

Yes, the SenSafe Heavy Metals Check product should detect dissolved Manganese since it typically has a +2 valence state for its electrons BUT do keep in mind that other dissolved metals, if present in your samples, will also yield positive results and the test kit will not differentiate between (or identify) the metals it detects.

If you require a more manganese-specific test kit, then you may want to consider the SenSafe Manganese Check product which includes interference masking agents on each strip to reduce false positive readings given by metals other than Manganese.

Normally if a homeowner finds that he or she has a higher than desirable level of ANY metals in his or her water, regardless of the metals’ identities, that person typically seeks out additional, more qualitative (i.e. laboratory) testing so that a decision regarding what filtering solution will work best for their unique water quality situation can get made.

Laboratory testing for manganese

In the event that you do decide to seek out laboratory testing, we suggest first contacting your local health department to get a list of qualified water testing labs in your area. If that does not work then we suggest considering one of the WaterCheck Test Kits manufactured by National Testing Laboratories.

may sound dumb but I have just purchased a hot tub and these strips came with it, I
am not understanding the difference between total chlorine and free chlorine my test
shows 0 on both the rest of my colors are good what do I need to add? thanks

Believe it or not, Sally, we actually COMMEND you for having the courage to ask the question that you did… because too many people don’t ask questions and wind up with potentially unsafe water conditions!

For a tutorial on the differences between free and total chlorine we suggest you take a look at a popular blog entry on our site called “What is the Difference Between Total Residual Chlorine and Free Chlorine?“.

In a nutshell, however, if you use chlorine or bromine to sanitize your hot tub water then you have a problem that needs remedying right away: Your water contains no sanitizers — and you need to add some right away!

If, on the other hand, you use an alternative water sanitizing system (mineral ionization, ozone, peroxide, biguanide, etc.), then having no chlorine reading on either pad probably isn’t an issue.

Testing for alternative sanitizers

As more and more folks migrate towards alternative sanitizing systems for their spas and hot tubs, the need for testing methods for the alternative sanitizing methods grows.

Thankfully some methods, like the WaterWorks Peroxide Test Strips and the SenSafe Ozone Check, already exist.

And now for something completely (maybe) different…

Always consider the source water FIRST

Whether you have a swimming pool or a hot tub, the final quality of your water will depend heavily upon the quality of your source water (the water you fill your pool or hot tub with) and, more importantly, what you do to correct any issues that may exist with the water once you have added it to your pool or spa.

As ‘coders’ in the computer programming world often say, ‘Garbage In, Garbage Out!’

If your source water sucks, to use a term most of us definitely recognize, then without correction the water quality of any pool or spa filled with the source water will also suck.

Testing the water prior to the addition of chemicals makes total sense — unless, of course, you would rather spend money to fix problems like… staining on liners, fixtures, etc. caused by the addition of sanitizers (chlorine, bromine, etc.) which NEED to get added to the water.

Important Chemistry Lesson: Adding strong oxidizers like chlorine to water that contains dissolved metals like copper, iron, etc. may result in the formation of insoluble compounds that will settle on and stain any surfaces they encounter.

Whether listed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as a serious health concern or just a general nuisance, most people care about only one thing: Testing for metals in drinking water and removing them ASAP!

Commonly asked about metals include…

Questions about other metals such as manganese, copper, chromium and, of course, our dear friend arsenic, also make their way into emails sent through our Contact Us page.

Why the Concern Over Metals in Water?

Health officials unanimously agree that excessive exposure to dissolved metals in water can in many cases lead to serious side effects such as cancer, organ damage, impairment of the nervous system, the development of a life-threatening condition where the immune system attacks its own cells, a reduction in the growth and development of cells, joint problems/diseases, circulatory system problems, and last, but definitely not least… death.

Younger people stand to suffer the effects of exposure to metals more than adults do to their small body masses. In other words, an 8 oz glass of water containing X ppm (parts per million) of heavy metals will result in a much higher dose in a child than it will in an adult who drinks the same glass of water.

Some health officials theorize that very young children and unborn babies whose bodies develop at a rapid pace absorb the metals readily into their systems. Exposure of this nature often results in learning difficulties, damaged nervous systems, memory deficiencies, and even behavioral problems such as hyperactivity and aggressiveness.

More Information on Metals in Water:

• Lead Testing in Humans… Without Needles
• Study Links Manganese Exposure to Cancer
• Chromium in Drinking Water
• Mercury Found in Fish From All 291 US Streams & Rivers Tested
• Filters for Mercury in Drinking Water
• Copper in Drinking Water
• Information About Mercury
• Visual Test Kit for Lead in Paint
• Rust Color in Drinking Water

Water insoluble chromium(III) compounds and chromium metal are not considered a health hazard, while the toxicity and carcinogenic properties of chromium(VI) are known for a long time. An actual investigation into hexavalent chromium release into drinking water was used as the plot-basis of the motion picture Erin Brockovich.

…

The proposed beneficial effects of chromium(III) and the use as dietary supplements yielded some controversial results, but recent reviews suggest that moderate uptake of chromium(III) through dietary supplements poses no risk.

World Health Organization recommended maximum allowable concentration in drinking water for chromium (VI) is 0.05 milligrams per liter. Hexavalent chromium is also one of the substances whose use is restricted by the European Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive.

…

The acute toxicity of chromium(VI) is due to its strong oxidational properties. After it reaches the blood stream, it damages the kidneys, the liver and blood cells through oxidation reactions. Hemolysis, renal and liver failure are the results of these damages. ( source )

Despite the fact that some governments around the world try to keep an eye on industry’s use and disposal of chromium products one cannot dismiss the notion that chromium in drinking water could still cause harm in their life — especially if the water comes from a private well.

As chromium compounds were used in dyes and paints and the tanning of leather, these compounds are often found in soil and groundwater at abandoned industrial sites, now needing environmental cleanup and remediation per the treatment of brownfield land. Primer paint containing hexavalent chromium is still widely used for aerospace and automobile refinishing applications. ( source )

Testing for Specific Metals in Drinking Water

For those wishing to test for specific metals in their drinking water, please use the links below to locate information about ion-specific metals in water test kits:

Testing for Arsenic in Water

Testing for Chromium in Water

Testing for Copper in Water

Testing for Iron in Water

Testing for Lead in Water

Testing for Manganese in Water

Testing for Mercury in Water

Cyanide may also show up in the runoff or discharge of a metal plating facility because. . .

“Cyanide compounds are used in plating baths because they accomodate a wide range of electrical current, remove tarnish or other undesirable films from surfaces to be plated, and cause an even metal deposit to form that has lower sensitivity to impurities present in the the bath. Metals coatings of cadmium, iron, gold, and zinc often use cyanide compounds. Cyanide is typically found complexed with plating metals, or as sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide, which is added to the bath.” (source)

How can the average consumer make sure the water in their well has not fallen victim to an (un)announced industrial accident or poor enforcement of cyanide discharge laws from local industry? 

Recently a company came out with a presence/absence test for cyanide that has a sensitivity as low as 0.2ppm and as high as 1,700ppm for free dissolved cyanide:

* Cyanide Emergency Test Kit — This kit utilizes EPA/ETV Test Verified chemistry and makes testing for the presence of cyanide in drinking water as simple as dipping two strips in a vial and seeing if the second strip turns colors.  A change in color on the test area of the second strip indicates the presence of cyanide in the sample.

* eXact^® Strip Cyanide — For those who need more precise numbers when testing for the presence of cyanide in water, the makers of the above kit also offer a cyanide detection kit designed to accurately determine cyanide concentrations in effluents and surface waters.  The eXact^® Strip Cyanide Kit requires as little as two minutes for cyanide colorimetric analysis and has a detection range of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, >10, >20, <200 ppm (mg/L).

Both kits use the same laboratory tested chemistry and yield reliable, repeatable results.  If you worry about, or suspect, the possible introduction of cyanide into your drinking or well water by local industry, then these kits will help you to quickly and easily put those fears to bed or determine that you might want to investigate further using a certified laboratory’s more advanced testing methods.

Need to test for other metals?

The following metals in water test kits currently available in our Water Test Kit Store ought to help!

What metals could do all that?  Scientists debate that question quite often, but the point of the matter is that you don’t want ANY of the metals, debated or otherwise, in your water.

Sources of Metal Contamination in Drinking Water:

Metals find their way into your water supply in a number of ways.  While the water may have left its source (well, city reservoir, etc.) w/o metals in it, the instant it touched ANY metal it automatically picked up some ions — especially if the water had an unusually high or low pH for any reason.

Even if you think your house has all (new) PVC fittings and piping, keep in mind that your water provider does not use PVC piping to run the water from itself to your doorstep.  Oh, and those metal fittings called ‘faucets’ and the screens inside them contain metal as well. (reference)

So as you can see, consumers ought to consider doing a general test for metal ions their drinking water.  Critters such as aluminum, lead, cadmium and so forth can pop up from a number of sources and according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Health Professionals worldwide, people need to limit the amounts of metals they ingest.

Simple Test for Metals in Water:

Just a few short years ago consumers had to rely upon the ‘wisdom’ and ‘training’ of water system consultants (salesmen!) to tell them if they had metals in their drinking water. . . or they could shell out some serious dough and send their water off to a local lab for a complete and thorough analysis — which would tell them more information than they needed, yet probably wouldn’t tell them anything they could use to decide if they had problems with their water.

Thankfully those days have come to an end.  Consumers now have the option of testing their own drinking water for metals at a cost they can afford, and with an amount of ease they can tolerate.  A simple dip-n-read test strip for metals in water that detects levels as low as 10 ppb (typically reverse osmosis water is at this level or lower) and as high as 1,000 ppb (1 ppm) is readily available from a number of vendors.

While SenSafe(TM) Water Metals Check will not tell you specifically what metals your water contains, it will let you know that you may have a reason to have your water looked at by a water industry professional.

Testing for Specific Metals in Drinking Water

For those wishing to test for specific metals in their drinking water, please use the links below to locate information about ion-specific metals in water test kits:

• Arsenic in Water
• Chromium in Water 
• Copper in Water
• Iron in Water
• Lead in Water
• Manganese in Water
• Mercury in Water