In the early stages, the symptoms of ALS -- also called Lou Gehrig's disease -- include: 1  Increasing weakness in one limb, especially in a hand. 2  Difficulty walking. 3  Clumsiness of the hands. 4  Fasciculations, which are subtle, light twitches under the skin.  Impaired speech.
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Section 1417(a)(1) required that after June 19, 1986 only lead free pipe, solder or flux could be used in the installation or repair of any plumbing in residential or non-residential facility providing water for human consumption, which is connected to a Public Water System.
Starting in 1973, the federal government started a gradual phase-down of lead content in gasoline, and by 1996, banned the sale completely. However, lead from car exhausts mixed with soil near roads and is still there today. Homes near busy streets may have higher levels of lead in the soil. Today, lead still comes from metal smelting, battery manufacturing, and other factories that use lead. This lead gets into the air and then mixes with the soil near homes, especially if the home is near one of these sources.