Chan Hon-fai
A government-appointed task-force has concluded that the primary source of lead found in the tap-water of two of the 11 affected public housing estates comes from solder used to connect water pipes that run from rooftop tanks to individual apartments.
A member of the task-force, Chan Hon-fai, said the lead content of solder in pipe joints taken from Kai Ching and Kwai Luen Estates were found to range between 33 and 41 percent, 585 times above British standards.
Tests also showed that the heavy metal can seep into the water from the solder. Chan added that there was no problem with the water that was taken directly from rooftop tanks.
The task force said plumbers responsible for soldering pipes together had inadequate knowledge about the consequences of using solder that contains lead. Since the scandal broke in July, the government has started testing for four heavy metals in soldering materials.
The task force is one of the three committees set up by the government to look into the matter.
The contamination scare has also affected a number of schools.
______________________________
Last updated: 2015-09-25 HKT 17:40
A member of the task-force, Chan Hon-fai, said the lead content of solder in pipe joints taken from Kai Ching and Kwai Luen Estates were found to range between 33 and 41 percent, 585 times above British standards.
Tests also showed that the heavy metal can seep into the water from the solder. Chan added that there was no problem with the water that was taken directly from rooftop tanks.
The task force said plumbers responsible for soldering pipes together had inadequate knowledge about the consequences of using solder that contains lead. Since the scandal broke in July, the government has started testing for four heavy metals in soldering materials.
The task force is one of the three committees set up by the government to look into the matter.
The contamination scare has also affected a number of schools.
______________________________
Last updated: 2015-09-25 HKT 17:40
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1213625-20150925.htm
