Consumer Tool for Identifying Point-of-Use and Pitcher Filters Certified to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water
Citation:
Latham, M. Consumer Tool for Identifying Point-of-Use and Pitcher Filters Certified to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/F-24/143, 2024.
Impact/Purpose:
To reduce exposure to lead in drinking water, consumers can consider the use of a drinking water filter that has been evaluated by an accredited third-party certification body to reduce lead.
Description:
Lead can enter drinking water when service pipes that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that corrodes pipes and fixtures. Homes may also have internal plumbing materials containing lead. To reduce exposure to lead in drinking water, consumers can consider the use of a drinking water filter that has been evaluated by an accredited third-party certification body to reduce lead. Point-of-use, or POU, water filters remove impurities from drinking water at the point that it is actually being used. Although there are others, the POU filters covered in this document are those that are used in filtration systems that are attached directly to water faucets or those inserted into refrigerators for water and ice dispensers. Pitcher water filters remove impurities from drinking water and are those that are inserted into water pitchers and bottles. Consumers can increase their level of confidence by purchasing POU and pitcher filters that have been evaluated by an accredited third-party certification body or bodies for drinking water lead reduction to 5 parts per billion (ppb) or less and particulate reduction (Class I) capabilities against both NSF/ANSI Standards 53 and 42. This document is an update to update to “Consumer Tool for Identifying Point of Use (POU) Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce Lead” EPA/600/F-18/335, 2018.
URLs/Downloads:
CONSUMER TOOL FOR IDENTIFYING POINT-OF-USE AND PITCHER FILTERS CERTIFIED TO REDUCE LEAD IN DRINKING WATER.PDF (PDF, NA pp, 678.137 KB, about PDF)https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-06/how-to-id-filters-certified-to-reduce-lead-in-drinking-water-epa_june-2024.pdf