Rogues' Gallery

Plumbum, type of heavy metal

A chemical that sneakily leaches into water from old lead pipes, and fixtures, then gets into the body through drinking, or from breathing lead-laden dust or fumes.

Although becoming rarer in the wild, can still be found loitering in aged water infrastructure, corroded lead-based pipes, old plumbing solders and old buildings.

Lead, even at low levels, is especially harmful to children’s brain development, also impacts adult overall health including kidney function and fatigue.

Check your plumbing for lead-based fixtures and fittings and replace if possible, check with your drinking water supplier for their last lead results and if you are worried, use a certified water filter.