Collection of reports (condensed) and opinions of chemists in regard to the use of lead pipe for service pipe in the distribution of water for the supply of cities / [James P. Kirkwood].

  • Kirkwood, James Pugh, 1807-1877.
Date:
1859
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Collection of reports (condensed) and opinions of chemists in regard to the use of lead pipe for service pipe in the distribution of water for the supply of cities / [James P. Kirkwood]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    The chemical investigations instituted at different times by the authorities in charge of, or connected with the water supply of various large cities, have generally led these authorities to conclusions calcu- lated to quiet the public mind upon the question of danger from the use of lead pipes, without entirely satisfying it. Some of the citizens of Brooklyn have made inquiries about the kind of service pipe which it is best to use, and whether the Long Island water will be injuriously affected by being drawn from lead pipes. Not being a chemist, I am not competent to offer any solution of this question, and judging from what has occurred elsewhere, no solution now, even coming from chemists, will carry either decided authority or general conviction with it, unless corroborated, for or against, by a clearness of medical testimony and statistics which has not hitherto been present. In order, however, that those persons desiring information on this subject may be able, if so minded, to examine the matter for themselves, I propose to place within their reach such information as I am in possession of, from which they can draw their own conclusions. When chemists of high standing differ so widely on the effects upon the human constitution of water which has been for more or less time in contact with lead, or whether such contact is productive of any objectionable effects, it does not become a non-professional observer to pronounce positively either way. It may be conceded from the testimony before us, that the uninter- rupted flow of water through the lead pipes of a house, to immediate use, could not affect it injuriously, whatever the character of the water. On the other hand, should the water stand long in the pipes without change, or should water be passed through lead pipes which