This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scottish homes lead survey
17/10/2003
The results of a comprehensive survey into the illegal use of lead solder in domestic plumbing in Scottish homes were published today by the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health (SCIEH).
This is the second stage of the Scottish Homes Lead Survey. The first stage was published in 2000 which produced evidence of lead solder contaminating water in 15 per cent of a sample of 661 homes built inScotlandbetween 1997 and 2000.
Following on from the first stage, the Executive commissioned SCIEH to conduct a second stage survey, to investigate the same sample of houses in more detail and assess the health risks to householders from exposure to lead in their drinking water.
The results of this second survey confirm that the lead detected in the water of these homes was derived from lead solder. Although no one was ill, people living in these houses were, potentially, at greater risk because of being exposed to lead. The results also show that this illegal practice was more widespread than previously identified.
When the first stage of the survey was published the Executive Health and Environment Ministers joined forces to crack down on the illegal use of lead solder by:
Agreeing to extend the time limit for prosecution for using lead solder and breaching Scottish Water's Water Bylaws and increasing the maximum fine that could be imposed for such a violation (expected to come into force early 2004);
Joint working with the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers' Federation to remind members that using lead solder in domestic plumbing is illegal; and
Launching a public information initiative "Be Water Wise" to highlight the simple precautions which can be taken to protect health.
Commenting on the second stage survey, Deputy Health Minister Tom McCabesaid:
"The results of this survey of homes confirm that people were being exposed to lead in their drinking water as a direct consequence of illegal construction practices prevalent at the time.
"This justifies the actions we initiated at the time to improve health protection and to eradicate this illegal and unacceptable practice. However, we are not complacent and the Executive will continue to work with the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Federation to remind its members that the use of lead solder is illegal.
"We will continue our information campaign "Be Water Wise" to ensure that the public are well informed when looking at new homes.
"I commend SCIEH for this excellent research report. But their work is not done. I will be asking them to undertake a further survey, looking at a more up-to-date sample of new houses. This will evaluate how effective the measures have been that we put in place since 2000 and will inform our consideration of the need for further regulation."
Robert Burgon, Director and Secretary of the Scottish & Northern Ireland Plumbing Employer's Federation (SNIPEF) said:
"SNIPEF has spent nearly £0.25 million on training its members in Water Bylaws. We have also undertaken an advice campaign to ensure that plumbers are aware of their responsibilities in using appropriate solder. SNIPEF is keen to work with the Health Department to ensure that there is no re-occurrence of this problem."
The Scottish New Homes Lead Survey was commissioned by the Executive Health Department in order to investigate the use of leaded solder on the internal drinking water plumbing of newly completed houses, in contravention of the Water Bylaws. This followed the discovery that leaded solder had been used inappropriately on copper piping in a new housing estate, resulting in excessive levels of lead in the drinking water supply in the affected houses.
The study was set up to discover how common the illegal use of leaded solder was acrossScotlandand to determine the significance of its use to the health of the house occupants. Stage 1 of the survey was published in 2000.
Following the publication of these results, the Executive issued advice to the public, via the media, on the safe use of drinking water in order to minimise the risk of exposure to excess lead levels. The Executive also took action to allow Scottish Water to strengthen its Water Bylaws and issued advice to the building and plumbing industries on the need to avoid the use of leaded solder on drinking water plumbing.