DIDYOUKNOW? THE PROBLEM WITH LEAD

Lead has traditionally been used in copper alloys, such as brass, to make them malleable (ie, to help shape them). Many types of plumbing products contain copper alloys—and therefore also lead.

Lead is toxic, particularly to children. At high levels of exposure, it attacks the brain and central nervous system and can result in death.

No level of exposure is safe, however.

“At lower levels of exposure that cause no obvious symptoms, lead is now known to produce a spectrum of injury across multiple body systems,” says the World Health Organization.

“In particular, lead can affect children’s brain development, resulting in reduced intelligence quotient (IQ), behavioural changes such as reduced attention span and increased antisocial behaviour, and reduced educational attainment.

“Lead exposure also causes anaemia, hypertension, renal impairment, immunotoxicity and toxicity to the reproductive organs. The neurological and behavioural effects of lead are believed to be irreversible.”

In its submission, Master Plumbers also highlighted the need for guidance, information and awareness campaigns as well as labelling of relevant plumbing products for easy identification.

Beyond the toby

Drinking water can become contaminated with lead at various stages of its journey from source to consumer, as national drinking water regulator Taumata Arowai notes.

“There is potential for elevated lead levels in drinking water from the dissolution of pipework and solders containing lead—which may be present in a drinking water reticulation network and brass fittings in homes and buildings. The amount of lead dissolved can change over time and is dependent on variable drinking water characteristics including pH, temperature, stagnation time and water hardness.”

MBIE regulates New Zealand’s building system, including plumbing, under The Building Act 2004 and Building Code.

Beyond the property’s toby/water meter, Taumata Arowai regulates New Zealand’s drinking water supplies under the Water Services Act 2021 and Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand.

When the 2022 Drinking Water Standards were published and came into effect on 14 November 2022, the MAV (the maximum acceptable concentration of lead in water supplied by drinking water suppliers) was 0.01mg/L.

However, following MBIE’s consultation on lead in plumbing products, Taumata Arowai has carried out a cost benefit analysis and engaged with stakeholders on options for retaining the status quo or reducing the Maximum Acceptable Value (MAV) for lead in the Drinking Water

Plumbers get their name from plumbum, the Latin term for lead, which was used to make water pipes and cooking vessels back in Roman times. Some historians think that lead poisoning contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire.

Since August 2021 the whole world has abandoned leaded petrol, with Algeria the last to phase it out.*

As of 30 June 2022, 45% of countries have confirmed they have legal controls on lead paint, including New Zealand.**

*Source: United Nations Environment

**Source: WHO

Standards from 0.01 mg/L to 0.005mg/L over a timeframe.

Taumata Arowai will use the feedback received to provide a paper to the Local Government Minister. Any resulting proposal for change to the current MAV will go out for public consultation. Watch this space.

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