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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) today (September 25) announced that the lead level in the water samples collected in the Duchess of Kent Children's Hospital (DKCH) at Sandy Bay were within the acceptable level set out in the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO).
"Following the procedures advised by the Water Supplies Department, a total of six water samples were collected from wards in DKCH, which have long-stay paediatric inpatients and day patients," the HA spokesman said.
"Water filters have been procured by the HA and are ready for installation in hospital premises if the lead levels in water samples are found to be above the acceptable level stipulated by the WHO.
"Water tests will continue to be conducted in selected public hospitals and wards following a risk assessment on water safety by toxicology experts and related specialists who agreed that priority should be accorded to hospital wards with long-stay paediatric patients under the age of 6," the spokesman said.
The HA will continue to assess the risk of particular types of water boilers in various care settings, while awaiting further study and advice from the Government on the risk of water boilers in general. "Water boilers under the brand name 'Aeroplane' have been suspended from use in all paediatric units for the time being," the spokesman added.
Ends/Friday, September 25, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:59
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