Introduction:
Lead is a highly toxic metal and a very strong poison. However, the element is sometimes found in the pipes that connect your home to the mains water supply. When water comes in contact with these lead-lined pipes, it is highly likely that it will be contaminated by microscopic particles of lead.
Hong Kong’s situation:
Hong Kong’s mains water supply very rightly adheres to the World Health Organisation’s allotment of 10 micrograms of lead per litre of tap water - a standard that is much stricter compared to other countries including the USA and the Mainland. However, once the water has entered the private pipes in buildings, it is no longer the responsibility of the government and can then become exposed to a range of chemicals, metals and bacteria from poorly maintained water pipes.
What happens when you ingest lead?
Repeated exposure to small amounts of lead can cause a build-up of such particles in your body. This could result in a condition called Lead Poisoning; a serious and sometimes fatal condition. The symptoms are not only physical but also psychological, including: abdominal pain, abdominal cramps, aggressive behaviour, constipation, irritability, high blood pressure, memory loss and kidney dysfunction. Young children are most vulnerable to Lead Poisoning; with serious implications impacting brain development and physical growth.
Should you be worried?
Lead is no longer used as a component for making water pipes in the post-war construction of the city. Therefore, lead or other harmful materials shouldn’t be present unless substandard construction supplies have been used. Under normal circumstances, lead will not appear as the pipes age.
What can you do?
The discovery of lead in pipes has to be done by a laboratory. Under normal circumstances, you shouldn't be worried about this issue. However, if you have doubts about the maintenance or quality of pipes in your workplace, estate or house, you can easily find laboratories to help you test a water sample for as low as HK$250.
Sources:
Healthline. (2018). Lead poisoning. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/lead-poisoning
Westcott, B., & Chan, S. (2015). Hong Kong's lead-in-drinking-water crisis: Everything you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/1840021/hong-kongs-lead-drinking-water-crisis-everything
Writer: Shen Tan
Editor: Jessica Tang
Thumbnail: Holly Liu
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