Excessive lead found in water for first time in a Hong Kong public hospital

The lead was found in a water sample from Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital in Tai Po. Photo: Dickson Lee

Excessive lead levels were found for the first time in drinking water at a hospital.

The sample was collected from a water boiler in a day care centre for children and adolescent psychiatric patients in Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital in Tai Po, the Hospital Authority announced last night. The sample contained 15.95 micrograms of lead per litre of water, exceeding the World Health Organisation’s suggested level of 10 mcg.

READ MORE: Water sample from Hong Kong kindergarten found to contain lead levels 10 times the WHO standard

The sample was among 17 collected in the hospital’s paediatric wards and milk kitchen on Wednesday.

The other 110 water samples collected in paediatric wards in 11 public hospitals between September and late last month all met the WHO standard.

“The boiler was removed and replaced [yesterday] by an accredited one with international certification,” an authority spokesman said, adding that water filters would be installed at the day centre’s water point.

Three teenage patients, all aged above six, have been attending the day centre on a daily basis since November. One pregnant and two lactating staff have been given distilled water.

Water samples taken from 10 water boilers in eight kindergartens over the past few months have revealed excessive lead levels.

The government confirmed yesterday that lead was found in the solder joints of boilers. They were tested with an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer.

A further study was conducted by the Hong Kong Productivity Council, which was appointed by the Water Supplies Department. Tests were conducted on two used and four new boilers of different brands bought from the market. They confirmed that leaded soldering material was the main cause leading to excessive lead in drinking water in the boiler after it was boiled.

Copper alloy components in boilers were also found to release more lead in hot water when they were used for the first time. The amount of leached lead declined after a few boils and after water was drained a few times - and would not prompt excessive lead levels.

The government said the public should buy boilers with international certification. People should also clean new boilers thoroughly with water, not use water that has been left overnight and switch the boiler off every night.