THE INFLUENCE OF PH AND HOUSEHOLD PLUMBING ON WATER LEAD CONCENTRATION

The water lead concentrations measured in the homes of children who we re part of the Edinburgh Lead study are related to the characteristics of the water supply and the household plumbing. At the time of the st udy one of the City of Edinburgh's two water supplies was lime treated to reduce plumbosolvency but in the second supply this treatment had not yet become effective. This allows us to estimate the extent to whi ch this type of water treatment reduces water lead concentrations, in houses with lead plumbing, to comply with existing and proposed limits for lead in water. The kitchen cold water was supplied from a lead st orage tank in 69 (15%) of the houses. These houses had the highest lea d concentrations and water treatment alone is unlikely to bring them d own to comply even with current statutory limits.