Lead
Got this e-mail almost two weeks ago:
- Hi SCC: I know from reading the blog your main interest is in covering Police matters,however I had a thought that I'd like to share with you. The current situation in Flint MI concerning the tap water and the fact that every home is connected to the city water main via lead pipe. A move is afoot to replace ALL lead connections to ensure safe drinking water, guess what major city has the same lead connections?? If you said Chicago you get a shiny new dime. I think the media in the city is sitting on this fact. I am sure, as you are that the 9 1/2 fingered prick reads the blog each and every day, bringing this fact out on the blog would cause him to go into full blown panic mode.
This was from a veteran city employee - many decades of service - who recently retired. We filed it away to use, possibly in a sarcastic vein given the massive amount of lead that was, is and will continue to be flying through the air around town. Then this appeared in the Tribune yesterday:
- More than two years after federal researchers found high levels of lead in homes where water mains had been replaced or new meters installed, city officials still do little to caution Chicagoans about potential health risks posed by work that Mayor Rahm Emanuel is speeding up across the city.
In a peer-reviewed study, researchers at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found alarming levels of the brain-damaging metal can flow out of household faucets for years after construction work disrupts service lines that connect buildings to the city's water system. Nearly 80 percent of the properties in Chicago are hooked up to service lines made of lead.
The study also found the city's testing protocols — based on federal rules — are likely to miss high concentrations of lead in drinking water.
So lead poisoning seems to be a citywide issue - if it isn't flying through the air, it's flowing through your pipes.
Labels: general
posted by SCC at 12:01 AM
53 Comments:
Not to worry. It is probably republican scare mongering. Does anyone really think that our president and his EPA would allow such a dangerous situation to exist? You can trust that the City is continually monitoring all drinking water.
So, it turns out Einstein should have been looking to solve the 'Unified Lead Theory.' This would have explained all of urban american life as we know it.
The chemical symbol for lead is Pb; as in the Latin word for it "plumbum" which is where we get the word plumbing and plumber.
>>>The current situation in Flint MI concerning the tap water and the fact that every home is connected to the city water main via LEAD PIPE. A move is afoot to replace ALL lead connections to ensure safe drinking water, guess what major city has the same lead connections??<<<
I doubt that many pipes in any system are actually lead. You may have galvanized steel pipes or even iron pipes sealed at joints with lead. Lead joints are very old fashioned. Lead is seldom used even the solder for copper pipe has no lead less than .02% for potable water systems.
I am sure this been researched but more likely the problem is the water source itself. Is it contaminated by industrial pollution, lead-acid battery production or recycling or even buried and forgotten galena (lead ore) mines.
What is the real problem?
Where is the water coming from?
Good luck I hope the problem gets solved.
Lead poisoning causes violent tendencies, so there is your explanation for Chicago's violence.
Get the lead out the water and reduce the dead bodies counter.
Send Emanuel back to anywhere. He should not be Mayor of anywhere. Lead, oh Lead where are you?? City's keeping secrets. And now Rahm has put through a new gig....giving loans to persons who want to buy houses but don't have the down payment....here we go again...another housing bust in the future's a comin'...if a person doesn't have the down stroke, how in the world can they keep a mortgage going plus pay back that loan? Oh right!!! Taxpayers money...no need to protect it. Just Pander, Pander, Pander. And the stupid Aldermen fell for it hook, line and sinker.
Pay high taxes, water bills, fees, fines, etc. and for what? Contaminated water, roads filled with potholes and sinkholes, worst education system, and more crime.
Some historians and others in the know believe that a contributing factor in the fall of the Roman empire was lead poisoning. Besides lead water pipes the Romans stored wine in lead vessels. Has anyone checked what Rahmulous has been storing the coolaid in?
I'll say it again. When your water hasn't been running for awhile (a few hours), let the tap run a few minutes before using the water for anything.
They will elect another Democratic mayor on this issue... they elected a 9 finger one to apparently fix crime, and only tied the police hands behind their back, while camera light/pick pocketing the stupid ass people who voted for him. You cant blame this guy the second round, honestly! The people of Chicago knew he was a scum bag from the first election, then you re-elect him. wake up and stop drinking the democratic cool-aid
And how do we verify if our water has high levels of lead? This would be more problematic than the uptick in ghetto shootings.
Proper water treatment can prevent lead from leaching into the water. One problem is when the pipes are opened and the protective layers are stripped away by acidic water. Carbon dioxide creates carbonic acid when it mixes with water. The coatings inside the lead pipe can also be stripped by pH excursions similar to the ones that happened in Flint.
Flush the water out before drinking, as it takes time for the lead to leach into the water, and fresh water will have almost zero lead. Best thing is to get rid of all the lead piping, but that takes $billions. Next best is to move to someplace without lead in the pipes (or the Chicago air).
I'd consider moving if I had kids.
Lead destroys children's intelligence. Does that excuse Englewood?
I 100% guarantee there is lead in the water coming from our faucets here in Chicago. I live in Mt. Greenwood. Every now and then when I put my hand under the running water coming from the tap, I'll get a shock. You know, the kind of shock you get in the winter time when you rub your feet across the carpet and then touch something metal? Yes, that kind of shock. Just from touching the flowing water from the tap. And can anyone explain away all the incidents of childhood cancer here in Mt. Greenwood over the last few years. It has been unheard of. There must be something causing this. Far too many young children in this neighborhood have come down with cancer lately for there not to be some underlying cause. I do not let my kids drink the tap water because I believe it has something to do with it. If there is anyone with the means to check into this situation, please do. It's so sad and tragic hearing about the kids that come down with cancer. I cannot imagine going through that. GOD bless all the families that have been struck by this horrible disease. May GOD give you strength.
It's been flowing through all water systems for 100 years. Don't be a bunch of pussies. If you are afraid, buy bottled water or use a water filter. Holy crap, does everyone need the government to do everything for them. You will be sorely disappointed in the results.
I live in the burbs so all my water flows through Chicago pipes to get out to my violence-free Xanadu. A few years ago, Rahm initiated 20% increases on suburbs, 3 years in a row. The reason was to pay for the renovation, and updates, to the water system in The City. I'm guessing there were no fixes to the pipes and all that money was used for bribes, greed, and corruption. Rahm, you are a scumbag of epic proportions. I'm not sure how so much bullshit got squeezed into such a tiny man, but it's impressive. Hopefully your mayoral term here ruins your political and professional life. Everyone hates you. Leave.
I think this will be the explanation for the increase of shootings.
Lead piping is safe as long as caustic or acidic levels in the water is low. Just look at one of many replaced pipes in your home when they are changed. There's usually a build up of calcium which protects you from the lead.
My crazy uncle usd to put extra lead in his drinking water. He thought it would put lead in his pencil.
Most of the old lead connection in the city have been used so much that they are coated with calcium and the lead no longer leaches through. However, if for some reason they are messed with the lead can leach again. All the new connections are being made with copper.
Could this be a direct connection to why there is such a high rate of cancer, especially amongst children in the Beverly/Morgan Park/ Mt. Greenwood area? People have been speculating for years why there are so many cases in those areas.
Flint Michigan redux? Rahms your taking billions more in water fees to update system, our water rates are skyrocketing and this now? Rahm lied people died is that the new mantra? Mayor do you, the county the 50 drink the water or do you still have the bottled water brought in? Did you know something we all should know? Can we get our drinking water tested for free from our home taps by a non city connected independent source? What next will they tell us next police hiring is down thousands?
Now it makes perfect sense that that runt rahm and his fifty thieves would increase the tax on bottled water!
Great.Now the 9.5 fingered gnome is poisoning our wells.
Chicago has lead pipes. NYC has lead pipes. Detroit, St. Louis, Boston...... any city more than a couple decades old has lead pipes. We all lost a couple IQ points off the back end but thank God most of us had a couple to give.
that explains low CPS test scores
My girlfriend lives on the southeast side months ago I got a glass of water from the sink I told her it tastes funny would never drink it again. It's also cloudy and never clears up. Anyone else have those issues and how do you have it tested.
cancer rates by county in Illinois:
http://statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov/map/map.withimage.php?17&001&001&00&0&01&0&1&5&0#results
cook county not any worse but better than other counties, my son is a doctor i asked him his theory he said it seems that cancer is being caught earlier,40-50 years ago when people died it was "by natural causes" no investigations, now with all the new technology we are catching it earlier and having better results! We all have different gene structures but the cancer gene is activated in some and in others thank fully never activated! Enjoy life, enjoy family, Pray daily and as the Bible states"God is in control!"
I 100% guarantee there is lead in the water coming from our faucets here in Chicago. I live in Mt. Greenwood. Every now and then when I put my hand under the running water coming from the tap, I'll get a shock. You know, the kind of shock you get in the winter time when you rub your feet across the carpet and then touch something metal? Yes, that kind of shock. Just from touching the flowing water from the tap
++++++++++++++++
Oh boy, yes, its the same static shock. what do you suppose is being used as an electrical ground in your house? You guessed it - a water pipe - gee water is conductive - so there's your zap. Now, I'm not saying anything about the lead in your water, but I hope you have GFCI outlets in your kitchen and bathroom, if you think water doesn't conduct..
2/09/2016 12:47:00 AM
Please stop drinking the water...dummy.
People are drinking lead? No wonder this city hasn't had a Republican mayor since the 1920s.
Not to mention the chlorine and chloramines in the water. I know it kills bacteria but it irritates the skin and eyes.
I fix at home is easy and not expensive get a reverse osmosis water filter. Just do your research not all such filter are created equal. Get your water tested first and purchase a filter to match.
not just lead-look at the fish consumption advisories for lake michigan fish.pretty scary that the fish are not safe to eat but the water is ok to drink?
"So, it turns out Einstein should have been looking to solve the 'Unified Lead Theory.' This would have explained all of urban american life as we know it."
2/09/2016 12:35:00 AM
Very good! (relativity-wise) ;)
Who/how can i get my tap water tested
Duh! Its for the children
At 2:36am. If you are getting a shock from your water, you need to get a qualified licensed electrical contractor to check your house ground wire. You might have a life threatening situation where you have some sort of electrical short and could lead to someone getting electrocuted.
Seriously, get it checked out right away. This situation could get someone killed.
Bad idea publicizing this , SCC.
I wanna retire, sell and get the fuck outa dodge at top dollar in about 3 years.
Lead lead lead. Didn't Rahm close down a Pilsen factory over lead fumes and contamination?
Rather than calling poor parenting the reason for low test scores and violence, the company refused to pay into Dem political campaigns and was shut down or was going to be taken over by eminent domain.
So, water bills go up every time the bill arrives, twice a year. $500.00 a pop, +$10000 a year and yet the water never is any better than when it was $200 a year. Same amount of lead, but now it costs more.
This whole billing system to raise the non metered water rate is a scam to get you to convert to a water meter.
Then comes the minority contractor (infrastructure spending!) who is going to be enlisted to run new copper lines from the main to every low income house (under $250,000) costing tax paying chumps millions and new water meters too.
Once there's 70% participation in the program, Rahm will sell off the water operation to a private and foreign entity.
This will be part of Rahms 2016 Make Good with The Folks Program to reestablish his standing.
Take that to the bank joe.
And gues what...the lead content will remain the same.
My. Greenwood worriers, if you are concerned with lead counts go to the store and get a testing kit. Get a Radon kit too.Get a roll of tinfoil and make hats for all the kiddies. Remember we have this new thing called the Internet that allows you to research anything you want. Try it sometime.
Have you noticed that in the past few threads it seems like someone from the city is posting propaganda bullshit that is the exact opposite of the thread contents? What, these fuckers concerned about an "insignificant" blog? Not worried are they?
Anonymous Anonymous said...
not just lead-look at the fish consumption advisories for lake michigan fish.pretty scary that the fish are not safe to eat but the water is ok to drink?
Water reclamation district? Filtration plant? Our drinking water is processed and filtered befor it gets to us. Our processing is one of the finest in the country
What about those cancer & upper respiratory ailment cluster station houses that have killed more Policemen over the years than any number of shitheads...
011.
Old 012.
Old 013.
014.
Old 006.
Old 007.
025.
Seen lots of big, strong healthy Coppers get sick and die of assorted cancers
from working in these pits.
wasn't there some noise some years back about the EPA
had actually come out to do some testing but Daley played
a face card and had them shut down?
No mitigation of toxic working conditions for Policemen.
And don't get us started about the human petri dishes we
end up in close proximity to.
Especially the ones Rahm and "Him Self" are waving across the border
to keep the democratic voter rolls swollen.
The very death of us who aren't immunized against the ghastly shit
they're carrying...
We hope some somehow end up in Lab School.
Joyful Haters say:
"Buncha crybabies! Don't they know how safe and easy their jobs are?"
At 2:36am. If you are getting a shock from your water, you need to get a qualified licensed electrical contractor to check your house ground wire. You might have a life threatening situation where you have some sort of electrical short and could lead to someone getting electrocuted.
Seriously, get it checked out right away. This situation could get someone killed.
2/09/2016 04:49:00 PM
I'll second that. Get a PROFESSIONAL. Too many friends and relatives and do-it-yourselfers improperly linking grounds to water lines.
Our newer house came with a water meter. When the city started the big push to have everyone go to water meters they had a company based in Tinley Park IL do the change of our meter. They also eliminated the city meter readers and the suburban company drives their vehicles down our street to automatically read our meter. With the new meters they also changed the way the amount metered is calculated. The price goes up every month with the new meter and new rates.
Didn't they also have problems in the south suburbs with a meter company from Tinley Park?
It is only a concern if you remove or install it in new or repaired sections. so if you dont break it off or open, and then ignore the water reports you will be fine. if you are worried PUR sells a faucet filter that removes lead, installs with no special tools,and is fairly inexpensive to maintain. In Flint they open an abandoned, abandoned . antique feed line from what is a questionable water source. Flint was detroit stamping mill and they used liquid lead filled lubricants to grease the forms and stamping machines. Ie, ground water contamination. So again dont ignore the water test results and you will be fine.
Anonymous said...
that explains low CPS test scores
2/09/2016 09:31:00 AM
You are right. I guess the parochial and private school kids in Chicago don't drink water
More than half the suburbs in the area receive and pay for our Chicago water. Even Lake county just applied to get our lake water for 20 of their towns. Guess it can't be that bad and moving to the suburbs you are only going to get Chicago water that has traveled through pipes for a longer distance and time
Water reclamation district? Filtration plant? Our drinking water is processed and filtered befor it gets to us. Our processing is one of the finest in the country
2/09/2016 08:53:00 PM
It may be but remember it is drawn and tested prior to being put into our water mains and delivered to our taps. If you tested the water from the average city home after it made its way through the cities piping the results would be vastly different than those annual water reports that get sent out every year. If you don't have a reverse osmosis system or something similar that removes heavy metals you are poisoning yourself.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Have you noticed that in the past few threads it seems like someone from the city is posting propaganda bullshit that is the exact opposite of the thread contents? What, these fuckers concerned about an "insignificant" blog? Not worried are they?
2/09/2016 08:34:00 PM
Been happening regularly since Rahm arrived. We're used to it. It's usually pretty obvious.
Understand that when Flint, MI switched water sources, they stopped adding a chemical that would have "buffered" and helped protect the pipes. Would have cost $100/day, but no. Something happened like the pH of the water reversed and it began to pull all kinds of rust, crap, etc. off the pipe walls where it had deposited for years.
The crap coming out of the faucets was like pure chocolate-brown essence du rust. Looked so bad that I can't imagine anyone drinking it. For that reason, I would surmise that actual "lead exposure" to the population was probably not that great. People were probably buying case water, pop, other beverages. Sure wouldn't want to cook or do laundry in the stuff, that is for sure.
And oh, yeah, "reverse osmosis" home systems are the way to go. Definitely look into them -- after all, "bottled water" is often just city supply RO'd and run through ultraviolet light to finish-sterilize. HUGE difference between Chicago tap water and RO -- they have small units that go right under your sink.
Just a thought: You can get water test kits at Menards, Walmart,online, probably a good hardware store, for $10-$20.
Accurate to PPB (parts per billion).
You have good Catholic high-schools?
See the Chem teacher. He/she can help understand the test results.
Why not ask the teacher to give a presentation at the school?
Bring your results.
Discuss and formulate an action plan.
Educate yourselves.
Get a lawyer.
(Remember "Erin Brockovich"?. If you don't, see the movie.)
Get the City's water analysis reports.FOI.
Find out if CPS has the school water fountains tested regularly. They should. It might even be a requirement.
If they did and the water quality was in violation of USEPA/IEPA standards, was it fixed? Was it swept under the rug?
There may be a s**t-load of records on this just waiting to see the light of day.
Sue the POS.
Stick together, folks, or they'll stick you!
With all the open hydrants in the summer, I bet that's the safest time to have a drink!
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