Recent research has indicated that lead in water of private wells is in the range of that which caused problems in Flint, Michigan. However, there is limited understanding of the mechanisms for water lead release in these systems. We evaluated water lead at the homes of two children with elevated blood lead in Macon County (North Carolina), which did not have identifiable lead paint or lead dust hazards, and examined water lead release patterns among 15 private wells in the county. Water lead release patterns differed among the 15 private wells. Problems with lead release were associated with (1) dissolution of lead from plumbing during periods of stagnation; (2) scouring of leaded scales and sediments during initial water use; and (3) mobilization of leaded scales during continued water use. Accurate quantification of water lead was highly dependent on sample collection methods, as flushing dramatically reduced detection of lead hazards. The incidence of high water lead in private wells may be present in other counties of North Carolina and elsewhere in the United States. The underestimation of water lead in wells may be masking cases of elevated blood lead levels attributed to this source and hindering opportunities to mitigate this exposure.

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私人井水中铅含量升高构成健康风险：北卡罗来纳州梅肯县的案例研究

最近的研究表明，私人水井中的铅含量在导致密歇根州弗林特问题的范围内。但是，对于这些系统中水铅释放的机制了解甚少。我们评估了北卡罗来纳州梅肯县（Macon County）的两个铅含量升高的儿童的家中的水铅含量，该儿童没有可识别的铅漆或铅粉尘危害，并检查了该县15口私人井中的铅释放模式。15口私人井中的水铅释放模式有所不同。铅释放的问题与（1）停滞期间铅从管道中溶出有关；（2）初次用水时对含铅的水垢和沉积物进行冲刷；（3）在持续用水期间动员含铅秤。对水铅的准确定量高度依赖于样品收集方法，因为冲洗大大减少了对铅危害的检测。在北卡罗来纳州的其他县和美国其他地区，私人井中高水铅的发生率可能很高。井中水铅的低估可能掩盖了归因于该来源的血铅水平升高的情况，并阻碍了减轻这种暴露的机会。