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.
Old water pipe, remnant of the Machine de Marly near Versailles, France. For many centuries, lead was the favoured material for water pipes, because its malleability made it practical to work into shape (this use was so common that the word  plumbing  derives from the Latin word for lead).