HC Deb 12 November 1992 vol 213 cc855-6W
Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he is giving to the 10 micrograms of lead per litre of water recommended by the World Health Organisation; what level is recommended by the EC drinking water directive; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Hector Monro

[holding answer 9 November 1992]: It is expected that the World Health Organisation will recommend a new guideline for lead in drinking water in mid-1993. My right hon. Friend is considering this carefully as part of the review of public exposure to lead in drinking water announced in "Scotland's Health—A challenge to us all" published in July this year.

The EC Drinking Water Directive sets a maximum admissible concentration of lead of 50 micrograms per litre in running water. Where lead pipes are present the directive recommends that the lead content should not exceed 50 micrograms per litre in a sample taken after flushing. The directive also recommends that if the sample is taken either directly or after flushing and the lead content either frequently or to an appreciable extent exceeds 100 micrograms per litre, suitable measures must be taken to reduce the exposure to lead on the part of the consumer. The United Kingdom regulatory standard of 50 micrograms per litre in any sample is tighter than that in the directive.