Friday 27 January 2012

Response to The One Show article about lead in petrol

I must admit I don't often watch The One Show. But on Wednesday night (25th Jan 2012) they had a good article on how one professor fought against the establishment to get lead banned from petrol. It prompted me to write this response to the show:

It was great to watch your news item on the hazard of lead in petrol and your portrayal of the story of the lone professor fighting the automotive industry for the health of the public. I have been researching people’s understanding of the health risks of lead[1]. I think your audience may be interested to know that up to 40% of households across the UK may be exposed to lead within drinking water in their own homes, and recent research shows that this may affect development of intelligence in children[2].
Since the 1970’s it has been illegal to install lead plumbing, but many older houses still retain a lead supply pipe (even if the house has been replumbed). This pipe is owned by the property owner (running from the street, under the house, to the main stopcock, often under the kitchen sink). There is no lead in the mains water supply, but lead from the supply pipe can accumulate in the water, especially after water has been sitting in the pipe for several hours (i.e. the highest risk of exposure is first thing in the morning). Water companies treat water so that uptake of lead is minimised; which is partly why it is a forgotten problem, however this does not mean the problem has gone away.
If babies or children are exposed to lead, it can harm their intelligence and attention levels later in life. The effect of lead can build up over years, and the damage is permanent. Recent scientific research shows that there is no safe level of lead. The Government is following international and European advice in tightening up lead levels in 2013 (the standard will be lowered to 10micro g per litre). However, currently some houses exceed this standard (see water companies annual reports for compliance data).
Lead in water is a particular hazard to pregnant women and families with children under five years. Families who may have lead plumbing should particularly consider this when making up formula milk or other drinks for children. Although the best advice is to replace the lead pipe, there is a simple and immediate way to protect your family. Flushing the cold tap first thing in the morning will greatly reduce the risk. For many houses, filling a washing up bowl is enough (this can be used on the garden etc!)
It would take huge investment for all lead supply pipes in the country to be replaced, but I note that Ireland have recently made this decision[3]. When will UK take this brave decision to ensure that lead does not stop our children reaching their full potential?
Furthermore, as a follow-up to your story on lead in petrol, I would like to raise the continued lead pollution being emitted from the production of the lead additive in Cheshire/Merseyside. Innospec (formerly Octel – barrels of which are shown in your article) are the only plant in the world still producing this unnecessary, noxious chemical. While they claim on their website to be socially responsible[4]:
we recognise that the economies of some countries continue to depend on this product.”
However the company has been fined £8.5m for their involvement in bribing Indonesian Government officials to secure sales of this product. Not only has this scandalous practice poisoned Indonesian children but the lead air pollution from the plant near Ellesmere Port has been a hazard to children in nearby communities. Most recent data indicates that the Innospec plant near Ellesmere Port was the fourth biggest emitter of lead in the UK[5] (3.6tonnes in 2009). Perhaps your investigative journalists could confirm with Defra whether this plant continues to unnecessarily pollute the air at this level?


[1] Chadborn NH, Osborn K, and Lyons, M. Study to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions intended to reduce exposure to lead from drinking water within the vulnerable group
[2] Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management, Lead in Drinking Water
[3]O’Brien, Irish Times, 6th Jan 2012. 5,500m of lead piping to be replaced over health fears http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2012/0106/1224309892198.html
[5] National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory