Researchers recently discovered that 30% of homes in Manchester that were sampled in a recent study conducted by researchers at Texas A&M had lead in their drinking water.
About the Study
Researchers at the Texas A&M School of Public Health, College of Geosciences and College of Architecture collaborated to complete a pilot study along the Houston Ship Channel. They conducted a research study in Manchester. This low socioeconomic level neighborhood that is known for generating and storing hazardous waste, as well as being responsible for large amounts of air pollution. It has experienced a number of concerns historically, including flooding, health concerns and air pollution. It is subject to natural disaster like Hurricane Harvey, which increases the risk of lead exposure in the area. Approximately 98% of the Manchester community is minority. The City of Houston Planning and Development Department says this community has a median income one-third less than the average income for residents of Houston. Previous studies have established a connection between minority communities with low incomes and a greater probability of exposure to lead, but few studies have focused on environmental justice factors present in these communities.
The study was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
Study Findings
As part of the study, researchers distributed surveys to residents in the Manchester community. They randomly selected 13 of these surveys and reviewed them and 22 water samples from different households. About one-third of residents involved in the survey said they were concerned about their tap water. 75% of these individuals did actually have lead in their water. 30% of the homes that were part of the sample had lead in their water. 25% of the lead-contaminated homes had children living in them.
Researchers attributed the lead problem to the combination of older homes that had lead pipes and were and the chemicals that the water purification process utilizes. Researchers noted that these chemicals modify the water’s composition so when the water flows through an old piping system, the pipes deposit lead into the water.
The researchers opined that the study highlights that contaminated water is a problem in Houston. They said more research on a larger scale is necessary to determine the potential long-term effects of water contaminated with lead in the Manchester community and to address environment justice disparities in other communities.
Dangers of Lead
The World Health Organization has warned that ongoing exposure to lead can affect multiple systems of the body and is particularly dangerous for children. The Flint Water Crisis in Flint, Michigan was the most infamous occurrence of this problem. However, the same practices that occurred in that area are also leading to contamination in the Houston area.
Correcting Lead Problems
The most effective way to correct the lead problem is to replace older pipes. However, this option is usually too expensive for residents who live in low socioeconomic communities. Another option is a lead abatement program that would require the government to pay to replace lead pipes in older homes. Letting water run for a free seconds before drinking it and using filters can also help on a smaller scale.
