A National Health Warning
A National Health Warning
The report was not widely publicised, and has advised households to limit their exposure to lead amid fears of lead poisoning from old pipes or unregulated plumbing products.
Concerns Arise Around A Six Month Old Health Study Released By enHealth in July 2018.
The study advised some practical precautions, which included running your taps for 30 seconds in the morning before use to flush lead residue from old pipes or tapware. In Australia lead is rarely used in modern plumbing pipes, but is still widely used in unregulated plumbing products and kitchen taps.
Lead can dissolve into drinking water and can lead to serious health issues. Exposure to high levels of lead may cause anemia, weakness, and kidney and brain damage. Infants that are bottle-fed are most at risk due to the high amounts of water they consume as compared to their body weight.
The study also recommends:
- Using water from cold taps only for drinking and cooking.
- Flushing cold water taps used for drinking and cooking for about 2 to 3 minutes after long periods of non-use, such as return from holidays; this ‘flushed’ water can be collected and used for washing up.
- Choosing plumbing products that have been certified to Watermark and AS/NZS 4020:2005; and/or have low lead content or are lead free, when renovating or building.
Puratap Recommendations...
Puratap have known for years about lead leeching into water via brass fittings. We have been using polymer insert taps and mixers for years. It’s quite simple, if there is no brass in contact with your drinking water supply there is no lead. Puratap proudly uses taps designed to limit your exposure to lead.
- Using water from cold taps only for drinking and cooking.
- Flushing cold water taps used for drinking and cooking for about 2 to 3 minutes after long periods of non-use, such as return from holidays; this ‘flushed’ water can be collected and used for washing up.
- Choosing plumbing products that have been certified to Watermark and AS/NZS 4020:2005; and/or have low lead content or are lead free, when renovating or building.
Our all-in-one mixer taps have polymer inserts to limit your exposure to lead
Also, be wary when purchasing a purifier from a plumber or plumbing outlet, or kitchen manufacturer. Some do not understand how the product works and are not in a real position to assess them. Any in-line filter (meaning the purified water passes through the same line) is not a recommended option. Puratap has been awarded a Watermark Level 1 certification on all our taps– the highest level available for plumbing products and is proudly Australian made and owned.
Peace of mind for you and your family
One spout for drinking water and one for hot and cold water.
Choose a tap that complies with Australian standards and is Watermark 1 certified