Drinking water human lead intake

There is a long history of human exposure to lead, although the relative importance of the different pathways of lead intake may have altered over recent decades. Widespread use was made of lead during the time of the Roman Empire such uses included the lining of aqueducts and the fabrication of water pipes and cooking utensils, [1]. It is likely that both food and drink will have been substantially contaminated with lead and adverse health effects may have resulted. 

Human exposures to lead in the diet historically comprised a major fraction of overall lead exposures in the United States and elsewhere, especially for adults. However, in a number of instances, such as infant consumption of Pb in evaporated milk from lead-seamed cans, many children also sustained significant dietary Pb exposures. Dietary lead intakes, for purposes of this chapter, are separated from drinking beverages prepared from drinking water, but include foods cooked in tap water containing Pb. 

Daily Human Intakes of Drinking Water Lead... 

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