We tested NYC water for lead and the results were confounding

[@VergeScience]

What experiment should we try next?

[@dislike__button]

Measure radiation in different parts of the city, to see where it's higher

[@asiaticyoung6261]

How many licks does it take to the center of a tootsie pop

[@NatureWitch]

@@dislike__button yes!

[@CessnaPilot99]

Do a video on fracking and you can test the water for chemicals in certain homes

[@met80s]

Air pollution not from exhausts www.elsevier.com/books/non-exhaust-emissions/amato/978-0-12-811770-5

[@eddie11228]

For those that live in NYC, there are FREE lead test kits available from DEP. Just call 311.

[@VergeScience]

They are also available by filling out this form. The kit arrived for me in two days, but will take 3-4 weeks for results. (www1.nyc.gov/apps/311universalintake/form.htm?serviceName=DEP+Lead+Kit ). - Cory

[@anchorbait6662]

"lead will mess you up" - Professor lead

[@sapkra]

We also have this problem in some older houses in Germany. But the landlord has to replace the old pipes. All pipes to the houses are very strong monitored.

[@SayLona]

This channel has genuinely made me consider going into journalism - something I’ve never thought about before. I would love to make stuff like this.

[@KastanDay]

Yes! I'm so happy this series is continuing, the exploratory style is fantastic and I LOVE that you do the real science yourself (and are candid about inconclusive results).

[@cheezyrascal1]

7:13 This video is quite entertaining, but some questions came to mind while watching the conclusion. These Home "While you wait" kits seem to be a good story to look into. are the companies who make them making a profit from the fear of lead poisoning? are there other test kits and what are the results based on these varieties

[@RNCHFND]

Would be nice to compare these genetic testing companies too

[@bakasheru]

@@RNCHFND "While you wait" genetic kits?

[@GriffenDoesIt]

Yeah, and did the Lab representative really think you should buy filters at 1PPB? Or does he just profit from more lab testing, and more filters? Are these companies who sell filters linked to those that test?

[@_Hal9000]

Some would need a Inductivetly coupled plasma (ICP) machine to analyze inions. Lead is troublesome to analyze but doable.

[@petterv6604]

I visited New York last month and the water tasted soo much chlorine, basically pool water. But it’s probably the only way to guarantee somewhat clean water for such a huge population

[@volatilesky]

ALWAYS install a pressure reducing valve and then a cartridge water filter into your home. Prevents blown pipes and the majority of contaminants. About a hundred dollars to prevent thousands in damage that insurance probably won't cover anyways.

[@fizzellll]

If you can afford a house in New York, you can afford a reverse osmosis water purifier.

[@kuryamtl]

People rent. So in most cases not really. :(

[@LiogCeartas]

Testing the water should be the standard when buying a home or moving into a new apartment.

[@Mayhyn]

Wait.. around 1:40 she said NYC took pride in having high water quality. Is that... NOT NORMAL IN THE USA??? UhhhhhhHHHHH

[@Imyubel]

No, I am from NYC and we actually take pride in our really GOOD tasting water. How she worded it is misleading. For example, many places around the US will actually import water from NYC because it just tastes really fresh, and NYC water is used in many pizzerias and bagel shops because something about the water people believe makes those foods taste really good. Water quality is decent in the US for the most part, but for some reason, we New Yorkers really love the taste of our tap water.

[@gtas321]

It is pretty normal, but the USA is a very large country. Larger than the entirety of Europe by multitudes. One of our states is comparable to an entire european country. So of course, just like in europe, there will be some states who have better water than others.

[@florencegielen5640]

davjet1 I am surprised you think it tastes good, because it clearly tastes like chlorine. I think locals can’t taste it because they’re used to it. But us Dutchies were horrified it was being served in restaurants.

[@SamDustin0077]

nyc water is known as the champagne of drinking water. thats why our bagels and pizza taste great :)

[@gtas321]

@@florencegielen5640 Extra fluoride helps your teeth bud.

[@oscarfernandoofpublicnature]

Trying for acidic water can quickly norrow down the possibility of lead, water with pH below 7 will definitely take lead out of lead pipes, that's what happened in Flint. And testing for pH is easier with regular pH strips that are very accurate. So you can start from thete

[@vinnievalentine421]

Dumbest statement ever

[@vinnievalentine421]

@jagfruit 1 pH of water has nothing to do with lead in the water, that's why water pH is at 6.8, I tested it myself. And I also have lead in the water.

[@chrisding1976]

Vincent Ciccone lmao someone didn’t understand..... He is saying acidic water can remove lead from the lead pipes contaminating the water

[@hopeforescape884]

just in case people don't know acids react with metals to give soluble salts. however lead can still dissolve in strong bases. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumbite en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumbate

[@baptistejungers1231]

@@vinnievalentine421 What you say about others says a lot about you, research shows

[@christinaliu8775]

Not all filters are able to effectively remove lead. When selecting a water filter, please make sure you look for a filter that is certified for lead removal. Better yet, ask the manufacturer for data showing not just the percentage of lead (and other contaminants) removed, but the removal rate over the life of the filter.

[@melvincanoy4123]

I noticed that there were no controls used on the qualitative strip test. I think at least it should've been compared with a distilled deionized water as the negative control and some high concentration of Pb standard which is I think available commercially as a positive control.

[@earumamaadu]

What is the total ppm of the water sample. And how many ppm of lead would be toxic? Also if the lead didn't dissolve in water how would that show up in ppm measurement?

[@rottweiler107able]

Can you please do a video on how metal foam is made and used

[@Anonymous-jf2gy]

Maybe but it has no place in the future of Science and that is the theme of the channel. If you want videos like that then you should check Insider's factory videos.

[@vinnievalentine421]

John has obviously had too much Lead water, his statement is the clear result of the damage done to his brain

[@chrisding1976]

Vincent Ciccone lmao clam down man

[@Gonzo364]

What about sending a filter to be analyzed after a 3 to 6 month period of use to see how much lead has been removed from the water. Also there are also other contaminants and or bacteria in water supplies due to a reduction of EPA standards over the years, even though they deny lowering the standards. I always suggest using a water filter for drinking and cooking.

[@_Hal9000]

If you want ppm amount of lead and its isotopes send it to a lab with an ICP. 06:55 i hope the guy tested also the Isotpes Pb-204;-206;-207;-208.

[@BrogeKilrain]

EPA and FDA working hard to do nothing :)

[@Lyle-xc9pg]

more like they're actively evil, when their not busy doing nothing

[@DanielLopez-up6os]

The issue itself is fixed, lead pipes in the homes are the issue now.

[@BrogeKilrain]

Daniel Lopez what cities you referring to ? None fixed yet

[@UmbraHand]

Darren Sad thing is the Trump Administration is making things worse

[@BrogeKilrain]

The Arts your healthcare and entire Middle East totally destabilized. Expect total crash

[@aeronomer8389]

Just the facts without any social commentary. Good stuff.

[@flemlion13]

How 'modern' USA is decades behind the 'old' continent Europe

[@strange-universe]

is it?

[@flemlion13]

@@strange-universe The last house connection was lead free over 20 years ago here. Distribution conduits even earlier

[@teachingthecode4651]

@@strange-universe I've lived in some parts of Asia and yeah pretty much. Our government seems more like it crafts policies which will sound good for the next election rather than being practical and meeting objects for the people of America. For example, most of the candidates for the 2020 election are talking about policies which stir interest in some voting base rather than stepping back and looking at practical solutions which would really improve peoples' lives... That's a fact. Now my opinion is that it is a bit more intentional than passive. There are likely various interests (not one evil villain) which are actively preventing improving the quality of life in America which is behind most developed nations. Again, I don't believe in any central organizing power or group. I think the problem is systemic.

[@ethanpaul878]

Also because American infrastructure was never wiped out in ww2 so the United States has lots of old systems

[@floo488]

@@ethanpaul878 They were exchanged at 1878 in south Germany, due to problems with pregnant women and babies.

[@JohnJohansen2]

2:14 Recommended level? Of lead? :-0

[@desp8161]

It's always going to be there whether you like it or not, because atoms are tiny there are trillions of trillions of water molecules in a cup. There are bound to be some lead in it.

[@jak33]

I live in a 1940s Victorian. I remember moving in and I had to sign something saying I know there may be lead present somewhere. I've always been curious. Where can I buy a test at?

[@Abdega]

Off the top of my head, In theory you take some potassium iodine tablets and dissolve them, and test them against what you are looking for, if some of it precipitates out in a Yellow color that’s a decent test

[@Abdega]

Ah here you go www1.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/drinking_water/lead_test_kit.shtml

[@RNCHFND]

It's not only the water you have to be worried about. Lead was used in many things

[@jak33]

Yea I'm aware. I know our walls have been painted recently, I've jusr,always been a little paranoid about my water, for good reason as,it turns out. Growing up I thought I always had perfect eater being from America. But come to realize that is not the case at all!

[@jak33]

Sweet thanks ! I actually live in Cali but poison is poison no matter where you live. I'll look more into testing

[@chinito77]

As a former New Yorker who grew up drinking fountain water and ate lead chips from old buildings...I’m still alive..for now...

[@KirstySully]

Lmao 😂🤣

[@sniper0073088]

*laughs in north german water quality* , where the tap water is better than the bottled water

[@desp8161]

I've had Berlin water and it is very hard

[@sniper0073088]

@@desp8161 "north german"

[@benjaminweihaochen114]

Always impressed by how great these videos are. Laying out all the facts and presenting every perspective. One of the best scientific channels! Keep it up!!!

[@kaniela8623]

Test the water in Detroit :3

[@malcolmw513]

There was both a Detroit and Flint sample in the list. They were both negative.

[@futuramanut]

@@malcolmw513 Tested on what the lab tech nicknamed "random color generators"

[@gxlorp]

But only to help the whities who commute there to work

[@PixelBytesPixelArtist]

Just Michigan in general

[@intelligenceiskey5046]

I’ll test it and let you know

[@runemaster861]

I lived in a town called Bon Terre, Missouri with very lead contaminated water. Being on a diuretic it was miserable and at points I was drinking beer and soda which I'm really not a fan of.

[@dislike__button]

This video leads to no conclusion

[@cloudofthought]

Get a water filter is the conclusion.

[@dislike__button]

You really don't get the joke don't you

[@sassatchu9729]

This LEAD to a PLUMBUM-atic situation 😂

[@theunknownuser3634]

r/wooosh

[@Irfan-uk7pq]

@@sassatchu9729 r/punpatrol

[@vinothshepard7451]

Please make a video on advanced aircraft

[@MisterCreative]

My building on the UES and my brother’s building down by Stone Street in FIDI both tested high for lead and other contaminants. A 30$ filter will not remove lead only a triple stage water filter will do that. I’m glad you made this content about such an important issue but you bungled the reporting of it and how to combat the danger. I used an Aquasana (www.aquasana.com) filer and had to replace the filters every 2 months instead of the recommended 4 months. When you see black sludge trapped in the first stage the first time you will never drink tap water at a restaurant ever again.

[@ronaldinhogaucho5460]

How did you test for the water

[@wmt_abby6318]

My husband and I found lead in our pipes last year by getting a testing kit from the city. How do I report this/get something done about it?

[@scottm2553]

Why didn't people learn from the Romans?? This is nothing new... 3:06. Wtf?

[@_Hal9000]

Save $ for profit.

[@CatboyChemicalSociety]

Did the lead contaminated water help cause the release of that failed PC building guide video?

[@Baleur]

Im sick of people cutting costs that endangers the public health. Death penalty for any contractor that worked on a building with lead piping, period.

[@massimookissed1023]

What if that contractor was a bricklayer ?

[@ts121084]

Stupid comment.

[@fabiosunspot1112]

Even if you change the pipes to your building they are still some of the old lead pipes carrying our water,NYC has pretty good regulations for everything but the best way to protect yourself is to buy a good water filter,the water in NY is pretty good but just to be on the safe side get a filter because the city can't do everything 🤔

[@allansh828]

How can you filter lead out?

[@toboterxp8155]

Destillation. Lead ions are in solution.

[@Abdega]

Ion exchange resins

[@mmenjic]

They say 30$ filter, but obviously they don't want you to know which one so you should try them all, or maybe put them all in series one will work.

[@Stars11222]

just about any filter will do, just search lead water filter and everything form basic Brita filters to high end ones appear on the list. also any filter you pick up off the shelves should say somewhere that it removes lead. if it doesn't find one that does

[@Ariccio123]

You can also just run the tap until it's as cold as it can get, that way you're getting rid of water that was sitting in the pipes and absorbing lead

[@justin_time]

I really appreciate the objectivity in this video!

[@fishercat503]

Make sure you change your water filters frequently.

[@genericallyericli4648]

I live in a building built in the 1910s, should I be testing my water? (My family and I don't drink it just to be safe, but we do wash in it)

[@Flopsaurus]

That was very interesting. Good to know the "while you wait" strips are not accurate.

[@amberhawksong]

I'm surprised this isn't a bigger issue in New England (tends to have corrosive water).

[@jedinite241]

She said it might be ok.... 😂🤣😂YA people, That's how I want to start my day!!!! guessing if my water is lead poisoned

[@massimookissed1023]

If you think NYC water is clean, you haven't looked in the rooftop water tanks.

[@palebluedot285]

Thanks for rising issues that matter to human health...although i don't live in NY

[@okamiarts4961]

This problem is happening right now in Canada and me and my family are very anxious. (The government announced it on November 4 2019)

[@robertpendergast2620]

I thought ? hoped this would show a qualitative analysis for lead.

[@lafeo0077]

yea I even prepped myself to steal the required chemicals from school

[@hbarudi]

Certainly a problem with many of those lead pipes, but always best to get that 5 gallon water dispenser and then just refill at your local grocery store. Use several of the 5 gallon containers so you can have water available for a while. That is what we do and avoid the problems of the other water.

[@internerperson23473]

so a regular walter filter fixes the problem?

[@meditatewithme5189]

Well if you live in hogansville ga the water wasnt tested for copper or lead from 2016- 2019. Keepung the city safe and healthy huh?

[@glorysky1998]

Glad to hear my specific town doesn't have lead in it!

[@lucaswolfson8849]

Lead contaminated water often taste even better than non-contaminated water, because some lead salts are detected by our taste buds as sweet, so they add tiny bit of sweetness to water taste

[@cizlerable]

That was a lot better than the guy from TyT scaring everyone. Both have value, but in the long term I prefer valid results over great demand for action.

[@jamesfenton7338]

Copper alloys can and do contain lead, so maybe the water PH would be a better indicator of leached material.

[@dariy1999]

What about lead paint? That's a huge problem too

[@johnchristopherrobert1839]

A thirty dollar water filter isn’t going to remove heavy metals from your water. Only a reverse osmosis filter will do that.

[@danilov114]

Scariest concentrations of metals from pipe corrosion come from flaking events and even not-so-good filters can stop flakes from getting to you. Taken amount of lead in this spikes may be greater, than what you get with your water in a year... Filter won't be a bad addition. Government solving core issue would be the best.

[@MukoroJr]

John Christopher Robert where could I get it

[@200odd300]

Is a $30 filter really going to reduce lead?

[@superdrummergaming]

I know I have lead pipes. I drink over a gallon of tap water per day with no ill effects. Don't drink first draw because that'll probably have the highest heavy metal content after sitting in the pipes and accumulating it. Drink water 30-60 seconds down the pipes(it'll be colder too). But really, one part per billion is fine. Common acceptable limits are 5-15 parts per billion.

[@LifesMystery777]

There is no acceptable limit of lead. You have clearly already gone insane from all of the lead built up in your bones.

[@tat890]

So, if the filter for lead is effective, then why not test the residual on the filter? Surely, that will be a cumulative results, allowing you to determine for sure if there were any lead in the past 1 month, 2 month or a year...

[@florencegielen5640]

I’m surprised they say the tap water in nyc it good quality, because it clearly tastes like chlorine. I suspect locals can’t taste it because they’re used to it, but to us Dutchies is was so clear we we couldn’t believe they were serving it at restaurants.

[@snacksy7754]

Why is the letter Ø being used everywhere now? I saw it first for 21 pilots and now on the verge

[@snacksy7754]

@@iansoede874 well did they popularize it? i've seen it other places to

[@TheMetrored]

NYC offers free lead testing. I know this isn't supposed to be super New York centric but, as someone who took one of those tests, it would have been nice to see how it held up against the lab tests that you paid for.

[@nantzstein3311]

#VergeScience Hi ^^ What about Solvants testing !?

[@neutronstar6739]

"random color generator" lmaooo

[@brandonse167]

You think 30 seconds is enough? Lmao, my shower doesn't even get hot in that amount of time

[@Anirossa]

My 1982 v6 engine needs led added to the fuel to not ruin my seals

[@firebornws]

What a fine peace of hipster science...

[@fizzellll]

Home scientist kits can be a risk. Under educated people thinking they know whats right for them is dangerous. It takes years of study to begin to understand data.

[@runawayboy5654]

Jesus America y make you water transport system poisonous ?

[@desp8161]

You can blame the romans

[@luddity]

@@desp8161 US is following the worst example

[@picklerick814]

as a german, drinking from the tap is just wrong. you buy your water at the store even though we have excellent tap water. it has always been like this for me. especially in foreign countries where chlorine and other stuff is added to tap water, the difference between tap water and bottled water is very obvious. it's like 19ct for 1,5 liters.

[@dandar7140]

Create samples with and without lead and test the tests.

[@stephenh.8336]

If it will lower that NYC rent, I might be game to roll the dice and live somewhere w/ lead contaminants in the water.

[@wakawakachuchu9353]

I thought it was gonna say the results are "comforting"

[@madman3891]

Now test common filters to see if they remove lead from the water.

[@thecommenter578]

You better blame the ancient Romans

[@lafeo0077]

yeap

[@gwvaio]

They brought up questions that they didn’t even try to answer.

[@TheRealTobias]

The cut at 2:45, cool and confusing at the same time.

[@peterw1534]

The question is do the filters work. If they do then problem solved. Or at least that's the cheapest easiest fix. The government should pass out filters before digging up pipes and replacing them. That is if they work perfectly. And how often they have to be changed. If you can fix it for $30 it's not really a problem

[@ChaseDaPlaya]

Some haven’t had private well water and it shows, city water is absolutely disgusting 🤢🤮

[@wulfleyn6498]

Why did you use ø like in rør, in error? Wait...

[@derekmulready1523]

The Tolerance should be "ZERO" Get with the World Program Irish Citizen

[@NatureWitch]

Test Macomb county waters. Or lake St. Clair! The great lakes are getting pollutants in them that's what I hear. And it makes me sad.

[@emberripples]

What about Flouride contamination? 😑

[@Cujo_Ate_My_Credit_Card]

I doubt there's flour in there.

[@i3_13]

So that's how the idiom "testing the waters" started.

[@JohnVeritas]

Watch the newest Mayor's video where he actually shows his sink running and drinking out of a cup that didn't touch the faucet.

[@JohnVeritas]

Actually Michigan has completed less than 1% of its goal and spent millions. Proper reporting is important even if you do no research at all.

[@pinkipromise]

video starts at 03:18

[@mrR33]

It’s all about saving money for the government. “Lead in water? Lead is like iron people, it makes you strong and healthy!”

[@zer0b0t]

Lead pipes still exist? I had no idea.

[@Ariccio123]

It's expensive to rip up walls to get the pipes out, so lots of old buildings haven't removed them. It's also a very bad idea to just remove some of your lead pipes.

[@derekkronenberger9376]

Sooo basically there’s no issue. Lead in pipes doesn’t ever come in contact with the water unless they were built wrong. If you couldn’t prove there was an unsafe amount of lead in the water, why are you trying to scare people? Also, the apartment buildings in NYC can’t be touched by the city. The pipes can only be replaced by the people who own the apartment buildings. That’s why you saw NYC replacing water pipes, but in the middle of the streets. The water going into the apartments is safe, but it’s up to the apartment owners to actually replace the pipes that come from the city into their home

[@pradeepbadgujjar6649]

That's great sir👍👌

[@LordMichaelRahl]

And Flint STILL doesn't have clean water.

[@niteshades_promise]

water? never touched the stuff. fish shit in it. also lead and radioactive isotopes.🍻

[@RabbitsInBlack]

I don't know what all the fuss is all about? I flavor my wine with lead. Delicious.

[@totalhighconcept]

Lead is the secret to scrumptious bagels

[@rj1trrc680]

Just to let you know. Restaurants in nyc ALL use tap water. And it’s perfectly fine

[@ts121084]

Exactly. The fear-mongering is ridiculous. Lead can be found on virtually every surface, and also, of course, in the air-especially in cities with older buildings. If water with a lead content of ONE PART PER BILLION were problematic, the human race would have died out millennia ago...

[@tigermor9128]

I hate to be the only one but shouldn't we be trying to educate the public for them to buy water filters? Even if you managed to remove all the lead pipes there will still be contamination in the water so why not fix the problem as a whole. Also a water filter is around 22 dollars and can last for several years so don't try to make it seem people could not afford it. Another solution is privatize the whole process, business will be incentived to act in a proactive way to make sure the water their customers are drinking is safe or the business will lose trust over the customers. And unlike bureaucrats business can adapt and change very quickly compared to bureaucracies.

[@copypaste3526]

Wouldn't be the worst idea to tax the rich in order to create jobs to fix this, right?

[@shatowboy]

You guys really need somebody with a statistical background. The idea behind sampling not representative of a distribution, especially one that is constantly changing like for a water system, is clear, and 2 samples have no real power behind any form of analysis.