Risk Factors
What You Should Do
97% of homes in this ZIP were built before 1986, when lead-based paint was banned. If your home was built before 1978, consider a lead paint inspection.
There is an estimated 25% probability that homes in this area are served by lead service lines. Contact your water utility to verify your service line material.
NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 certified filters can remove 95-99% of lead from drinking water. Reverse osmosis and carbon block systems are most effective.
With a median home build year of 1953, many homes may have older plumbing. Run cold water for 30-60 seconds before using it for drinking or cooking, especially in the morning.
Test Your Water at Home
No EPA tap-water lead sample is on record for this ZIP - system-wide data can't confirm what's in your water. A home test is the only way to measure your own faucet.
Get a Lead & Heavy Metals Test Kit →Lead Exposure Risk in Ferndale, PA
ZIP code 18921 has high lead exposure risk with a score of 63/100. 97% of homes were built before 1986, when lead-based plumbing materials were common.
Why This Matters
Lead exposure has no safe level, according to the CDC. Even low levels can cause developmental delays in children and cardiovascular problems in adults. The primary exposure routes in residential settings are:
- Drinking water — lead leaches from older pipes, solder, and service lines
- Lead-based paint — homes built before 1978 may contain lead paint that creates dust when disturbed
- Soil contamination — exterior lead paint and historical industrial activity can contaminate yard soil
Housing Profile for 18921
The median home in this ZIP code was built in 1953. 97% of housing units were built before 1986 (the year Congress banned lead in plumbing solder and pipes), and 9% were built before 1950 (when lead paint use was most prevalent).
Based on housing age, the most likely pipe material in this area is Galvanized Steel or Copper. Homes built before 1986 may still have lead solder joints even if the pipes themselves are copper.
Water System: Red Cliff Mhp
ZIP 18921 is primarily served by Red Cliff Mhp (PWSID: PA1090048), a groundwater system serving approximately 30 people.
The system's 90th percentile lead level is null ppb; the EPA action level for a system's 90th percentile is 15 ppb, which triggers corrective action and is not a safe level (EPA's health goal for lead is zero). This metric represents the level at or below which 90% of tap water samples fall during Lead and Copper Rule testing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does my lead risk score mean?
Your lead risk score ranges from 0 to 100 and summarizes area-level housing age, water system data, and infrastructure indicators; it does not measure lead exposure in your home. Scores below 30 fall in this tool's low band, 30-60 in its moderate band, and above 60 in its high band; these are model categories, not measured lead exposure. The letter grade (A through F) summarizes lead exposure risk indicators for your ZIP code; it does not determine lead safety at an address.
Should I test my water for lead?
Yes, especially if your home was built before 1986 or young children live in the household; the lead risk score does not measure your tap water. EPA system-level data shows each water system's 90th-percentile lead result, but lead levels vary by individual home depending on your pipes, solder, and fixtures. To learn the lead level in your own tap water, have a sample from your tap tested by a certified laboratory.
How can I reduce lead in my water?
Run your cold water tap before drinking or cooking, especially after the water has been sitting for several hours; the time needed depends on your plumbing (a lead service line may need longer), so ask your utility for guidance. Use a water filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead reduction. Test your water annually to track changes, and consider replacing lead service lines if your utility offers a replacement program.