(ANSI: New York) -- To better protect the public from lead contaminants in drinking water, NSF International recently released an update to its American National Standard for drinking water system components. The update to NSF Standard 61 reduces the allowable concentration of lead from 15 micrograms/liter to 5 micrograms/liter.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, nearly 20 percent of human exposure to lead is attributable to its presence in drinking water. Lead enters the water supply system primarily through plumbing materials—lead solder, brass, bronze, and other alloys.

NSF/ANSI Standard 61, “Drinking Water System Components–Health Effects,” is the nationally recognized standard for all devices, components, and materials that contact drinking water. First published in 1988, the standard establishes testing and evaluation criteria to determine whether contaminants are found above acceptable levels in finished waters. The amount of lead in water can depend on a number of factors, including the age of lead-containing materials, their manner of manufacture, and how long the water is in contact with the materials.

 …