35 PEOPLE CLEARED OF TOXIC LEAD AFTER WATER CONTAMINATION

Date Published: 30-Sep-2008

It's emerged that test results on 35 people in the city, tested for blood lead levels, are all within normal range, meaning none of those tested has any evidence of lead toxicity.The tests were carried out on those whose water supply in their homes tested high for lead contamination.The City Council has now agreed a programme of works to tackle the lead contamination in Old Mervue, Shantalla, Bohermore and The Claddagh.Work has begun on adjusting the pH of the water to reduce the interaction between the water and the lead pipes.This will be ongoing for the next 6 weeks, while experts will advise the Council over the next 9 months about international best practice to further reduce this interaction.Over the next 2 to 5 years, Galway City Council will replace the lead pipe distribution network.The Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny is calling on the Government to rubber stamp funding to address the lead contamination crisis in the city.