Lead does the most damage to the people least able to show it: babies before birth, infants and toddlers. When questions about lead in Lititz-area drinking water surfaced in 2016, much of the worry in town came from parents and expectant mothers. This guide is for them, updated with current public health guidance.
Why lead matters most early in life
There is no known safe level of lead in a child’s blood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lead can pass from a mother to a developing baby, and in young children it can affect learning, attention and behavior in ways that may not appear until school age. Research has also linked lead exposure during pregnancy to lower birth weight and a higher risk of pregnancy loss.
Adults are affected too. Long-term exposure is associated with high blood pressure and kidney problems. But the urgency is greatest during pregnancy and the first six years.
Water is one source, not the only one
In Lititz, a town full of houses built well before 1978, old paint is often a larger source than water. Dust from deteriorating paint on windowsills, porches and doors can carry lead into a home, and toddlers put their hands in their mouths constantly. Soil near old foundations can hold lead too. A full picture means checking all three: water, paint and dust, and soil.
Steps for water in an older home
- Use cold tap water only for drinking, cooking and preparing infant formula. Hot water pulls more lead from pipes.
- If water has been sitting for several hours, run the cold tap until it feels colder before using it.
- Never boil water to remove lead. Boiling kills bacteria but concentrates lead.
- For formula, consider a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead, or bottled water labeled for infant use.
- Clean faucet aerators regularly.
- Ask your water provider how your service line is listed in its inventory. Federal rules have required public service line inventories since October 2024.
For background on the local history, see our rewrites of the borough violations and the gooseneck address list.
Testing your water
A tap test from a state-accredited laboratory will tell you what is coming out of your faucet. Pennsylvania DEP keeps a list of accredited labs, and some offer mail-in kits. Our separate guide on where to have your water tested walks through the choices. If you are on a private well, testing is up to you, since well water is not covered by public system rules.
Testing your child
The CDC recommends blood lead testing for children at risk, and Pennsylvania guidance calls for testing at ages 1 and 2 for many children. Since 2021 the CDC has used a blood lead reference value of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter to flag children with higher levels than most kids their age, down from the 5 micrograms used when Lititz’s numbers were debated in 2016.
Ask your pediatrician about a test if:
- Your home was built before 1978, especially if it has been renovated recently.
- You know or suspect lead in your service line or plumbing.
- Your child spends time in another older home, such as a grandparent’s or sitter’s.
A finger-stick screening that comes back high is usually confirmed with a venous draw.
During pregnancy
Tell your obstetrician or midwife if you live in an older home or have concerns about your water. Getting enough calcium and iron helps reduce how much lead the body absorbs. Avoid sanding or scraping old paint yourself during pregnancy, and stay out of rooms while someone else does it.
Where to get help
- Your pediatrician or family doctor, for blood lead testing.
- The Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Lead Information Line, 1-800-440-5323 (1-800-440-LEAD).
- Your water provider, for service line inventory status and annual water quality reports.
Lead is a solvable problem in a single household, even when it takes years to solve across a whole town. The steps above are the ones that make the most difference for the youngest residents.