EXPERT REACTION: Lead in drinking water from some plumbing products
Australian households are advised to run their taps for at least 30 seconds in the morning to avoid exposure to lead, according to a statement from enHealth. The statement was issued in July but has only recently been reported by Australian news outlets. While lead is rarely used in Australian water pipes, it is widely used in a range of plumbing products including brass fittings. Unlike many other metals, lead is not beneficial or necessary to humans and may impair brain development in children. People should take every opportunity to limit their exposure to lead, according to the statement.
Organisation/s: Macquarie University, The University of New South Wales, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), The University of Western Australia, Australian Science Media Centre, enHealth
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Expert Reaction
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