Two heavy-weight experts have told an independent inquiry into the lead-water scandal that tests on water for lead content should be done from water which had been in the pipes for a certain period of time.
Their testimony contradicted the way the Hong Kong government had been carrying out its own tests -- by taking samples after running taps for a few minutes.
British toxicologist John Fawell, who is a member of the World Health Organization’s expert committee on drinking water quality, and Professor Joseph Lee, chair professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, had jointly compiled a report for the inquiry.
They said even if one were to take a second batch of samples, water should still be allowed to stay in the pipes for at least ten minutes before this was done. They also said samples taken from running taps cannot reflect the actual level of lead in the water because any trace of the metal could be washed out of the pipes by the time the samples were taken.
Government officials have defended the method they had been using, arguing that water that had been in the pipes overnight cannot reflect the "average level of lead" that could possibly have been consumed by people throughout the day.
The tainted water scandal first came to light in July when excessive levels of lead were found in the tap water at a public housing estate. It later emerged that ten more estates had the same problem.
The heavy metal was also found in some soldering material in the plumbing systems of the affected estates.
The independent commission was appointed by the government to investigate the scandal.
The hearing continues.
Their testimony contradicted the way the Hong Kong government had been carrying out its own tests -- by taking samples after running taps for a few minutes.
British toxicologist John Fawell, who is a member of the World Health Organization’s expert committee on drinking water quality, and Professor Joseph Lee, chair professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, had jointly compiled a report for the inquiry.
They said even if one were to take a second batch of samples, water should still be allowed to stay in the pipes for at least ten minutes before this was done. They also said samples taken from running taps cannot reflect the actual level of lead in the water because any trace of the metal could be washed out of the pipes by the time the samples were taken.
Government officials have defended the method they had been using, arguing that water that had been in the pipes overnight cannot reflect the "average level of lead" that could possibly have been consumed by people throughout the day.
The tainted water scandal first came to light in July when excessive levels of lead were found in the tap water at a public housing estate. It later emerged that ten more estates had the same problem.
The heavy metal was also found in some soldering material in the plumbing systems of the affected estates.
The independent commission was appointed by the government to investigate the scandal.
The hearing continues.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1223438-20151113.htm
