US children who drink water from private wells at higher risk of lead exposure

• Research shows lead exposure worse for poor and black children
• Highlights risk from contaminants in unregulated private wells

American children whose homes rely on private wells for drinking water are 25% more likely to have high lead levels in their blood than those with access to regulated community water services, according to new research.

The lead exposure is worse for poor and black children due to historic discriminatory public policies.