Infants fed formula are at increased risk of lead poisoning.
A study from Children’s Hospital in Boston analyzed 10 babies with lead poisoning and identified three areas of risk.
They include: use of the first tap water drawn in the morning, which had the day’s highest lead concentration; excessive boiling of water, which increases the lead concentration (by three times in one test); use of lead based kettles for boiling.
Researchers recommended flushing the water system with cold water for two minutes before use, using bottled water, and “laying less emphasis” on boiling water for formula preparations “a practice of doubtful necessity in relations to most [Western] water supplies.”