In the next decade, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to replace all of the lead pipes in the country. One of the key figures behind this change is Ronnie Levin, who has been a strong advocate for lead mitigation throughout her career as an instructor in Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s department of environmental health.
Levin conducted a cost-benefit analysis in 2023 on the impact of cutting lead in drinking water and discovered that mitigating lead could save over $8 billion per year in health benefits and at least $2 billion more in infrastructure costs, resulting in a benefit-to-cost ratio of 35 to 1. This analysis relied on the EPA’s own data, assumptions, and estimates to make a compelling case for lead mitigation, making it difficult for the government to dispute the research.
The Biden Administration’s interest in lead has also played a role in speeding up the process of change, according to Levin. While she is excited about the new rule, she emphasizes that effective implementation and enforcement are crucial for ensuring its success.
Levin’s work on lead in drinking water dates back to the 1980s when she conducted a cost-benefit analysis that revealed a significant portion of Americans were consuming unsafe levels of lead in their water. This analysis led to a 1991 rule aimed at reducing the amount of lead and copper in drinking water. Levin’s efforts have been instrumental in pushing for change in this area, and she continues to advocate for stronger measures to protect public health from the dangers of lead exposure.
