42/100

Water

Old Lead Plumbing

Moderate burden — Old Lead Plumbing adds a moderate, reducible exposure.

Lead service lines or old solder in home plumbing.

The breakdown

Each driver rated 0 (none) to 10 (worst)

Chemical hazard
6
Everyday exposure
5
Persistence
5

Evidence strength: strong · Detox Score = 100 − hazard×4.6 − exposure×3.4 − persistence×2.6, clamped 1–100.

What this means for you

A Detox Score of 42 places old lead plumbing in the Moderate band. The chemical-hazard rating is what drives the score down. Lead pipes and solder can leach lead into tap water, and there is no safe level of lead. Have the water tested and use a filter certified for lead while lines are replaced.

Cleaner swap → Test water, use a certified lead filter, replace lead lines.
See where your whole exposure load is highest — free Exposure Score →

Frequently asked questions

Is old lead plumbing a toxic exposure?

Old Lead Plumbing has a Detox Score of 42 out of 100 (Moderate burden), which means it adds a moderate, reducible exposure. Lead pipes and solder can leach lead into tap water, and there is no safe level of lead. Have the water tested and use a filter certified for lead while lines are replaced.

What is a safer alternative to old lead plumbing?

A lower-exposure swap for old lead plumbing is: Test water, use a certified lead filter, replace lead lines. Lead pipes and solder can leach lead into tap water, and there is no safe level of lead. Have the water tested and use a filter certified for lead while lines are replaced.

Lower-exposure choices

86
Reverse-Osmosis Filtered WaterMinimal · Water
75
Carbon-Filter Pitcher WaterLow · Water

More in Water

86
Reverse-Osmosis Filtered WaterMinimal · Water
75
Carbon-Filter Pitcher WaterLow · Water
72
Chlorinated Shower WaterLow · Water
44
Unfiltered Tap WaterModerate · Water