Houses in most modern countries have nor been built with lead pipes for at least 50 years. Older houses should have been re-plumbed
Yes and it still widely used even today
Iron replaced lead in water pipes.
Lead pipes are not considered safe for use in plumbing systems because lead can leach into the water supply, posing health risks such as lead poisoning. It is recommended to replace lead pipes with safer alternatives.
That was the best material they had.
PVC -- or ABS --
Lead water pipes.
Lead is a heavy metal and poisonous to the human body. Use of lead pipes leads to a build up of lead in the system which affects the nervous system and can lead to brain damage and death.
Lead is malleable, corrosion-resistant, and has low melting point, making it suitable for use in water pipes.
As of my last knowledge update in October 2021, cities in Texas such as Houston, Dallas, and Austin have been reported to still have some lead pipes in their water infrastructure. However, the extent and specific locations of lead pipes can vary, and many municipalities are actively working to replace them. For the most current information, it would be best to check local water utility reports or recent studies on water infrastructure.
Lead pipes were banned in 1969 because lead is poisonous, especially for the vulnerable (children, pregnant women and the elderly). But, many pre-1970s homes will still have lead pipes today and they have been used in the UK for drinking water for almost 2000 years. The lead content in water is significantly reduced by calcium deposits etc on the inside of pipes but many home owners prefer to replace lead with copper pipes when renovating.
Sugar of lead refers to lead(II) acetate, a compound that was historically used to coat the inside of organ pipes to improve their tone quality. The lead acetate reacts with the sulfur compounds in the air to form lead sulfide, which created a smoother surface inside the pipes. However, the use of lead compounds in organ pipes has largely been discontinued due to health concerns related to lead exposure.
Because that was the best material they had at that time.