Excessive lead has been found in the water supply of two more public housing estates, bringing the number of affected estates to 10, Secretary for Transport & Housing Prof Anthony Cheung said today.
They are Un Chau Estate phases two and four, and Choi Fook Estate.
The highest lead level came from a unit in Un Kin House at Un Chau Estate, in which 153 micrograms of lead was found per litre of water, exceeding the World Health Organisation standard of 10 micrograms.
Quick tests suggested the lead was from soldering materials.
The main contractor of both estates is Yau Lee Construction and Ming Hop is their plumbing subcontractor.
The contractor has pledged to install water filters for the residential units in the affected estates from the week of August 24.
Six estates passed lead checks in this batch of tests. They are Choi Tak Estate, Shek Kip Mei Estate phase one, Chai Wan Estate, Tin Ching Estate phase three, and Upper Ngau Tau Kwok Estate phases two and three, plus the Tin Ching Amenity & Community Building.
Hospital Authority Quality & Safety Director Dr Derrick Au said 10 more residents of lead-tainted estates have been found to have lead levels in their blood slightly higher than the international standard. They are all children.
