White House Safe From High Lead Levels

White House press secretary Scott McClellan said he would not discuss the eating and drinking habits of President Bush. Questions of his behaviors came about due to some water contamination that might have posed a threat.

The District of Columbia faces potentially toxic levels of lead in portions of the water supply. It was assured, however, that the president was not in any danger.

The White House has its own filtering system that ensures safe drinking water to the building.

Lead, a metal found in natural deposits, is commonly used in household plumbing materials and water service lines. Lead is rarely found in source water, but enters tap water through corrosion of plumbing materials. Very old and poorly maintained homes may be more likely to have lead pipes, joints, and solder. However, new homes are also at risk: even legally "lead-free" pipes may contain up to 8 percent lead. These pipes can leave significant amounts of lead in the water for the first several months after their installation.

Excessive levels of lead could cause kidney problems and high blood pressure in adults and delays in physical and mental development in children.

Source: U.S. EPA, AP