8 children in lead-water estates show slow growth
2015-09-15 HKT 12:30
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The Secretary for Food and Health, Ko Wing-man, says eight children living in public housing estates where tap-water was found contaminated with lead, are showing signs of slow development. Twenty-seven others will undergo further evaluation.
This came after the authorities conducted IQ tests on more than 100 children whose blood was found to contain excessive levels of lead.
Ko said the eight children showed signs that their physical and language abilities had been hindered. Without saying whether there was a link between their problem and the tainted water, he said health authorities would follow up on their condition.
The Department of Health carried out the tests on the children as they are more vulnerable to lead contamination. The authorities are also testing tap water in more than 900 kindergartens after drinking water at some schools was found to have lead levels that were above the safety standard set by the World Health Organization.
The heavy metal was first discovered in the drinking water at the Kai Ching Estate in Kowloon City in July. Since then, tap water at ten other public housing estates has also been found to be tainted. Some experts have blamed soldered parts in water pipes for the contamination.
This came after the authorities conducted IQ tests on more than 100 children whose blood was found to contain excessive levels of lead.
Ko said the eight children showed signs that their physical and language abilities had been hindered. Without saying whether there was a link between their problem and the tainted water, he said health authorities would follow up on their condition.
The Department of Health carried out the tests on the children as they are more vulnerable to lead contamination. The authorities are also testing tap water in more than 900 kindergartens after drinking water at some schools was found to have lead levels that were above the safety standard set by the World Health Organization.
The heavy metal was first discovered in the drinking water at the Kai Ching Estate in Kowloon City in July. Since then, tap water at ten other public housing estates has also been found to be tainted. Some experts have blamed soldered parts in water pipes for the contamination.
