Get the lead out

Sixteen months ago, Toronto discovered a cancer under its streets.

Old lead pipes, installed in the 1950s and earlier, was leaching the potent neurotoxin into tap water -- posing a serious health risk to pregnant women and children in particular.

Toronto responded to the provincial order to test drinking water in this city by warning residents living in older homes to flush their taps for at least five minutes before drinking from them, to expedite a lead pipe replacement program and distribute water filters to low-income families.

An investigation by the Sunday Sun has revealed that not only has little progress been made to deal with the lead, tests show the problem has gotten worse.

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