Caritas Medical Centre water samples lead content normal (with photos)
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority (HA) today (September 17) announced the commencement of testing the lead level in water at specific public hospitals to meet the risk assessment criteria.

     "Following the procedures advised by the Water Supplies Department, a total of four water samples were collected this morning from four wards in Wai Yee Building of Caritas Medical Centre where there were long stay paediatric inpatients or day patients," a HA spokesman said, adding that the lead levels of all samples are within the acceptable level set out in the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO).

     "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 were conducted in selected public hospitals and wards following a risk assessment 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 added.

     Meanwhile, the HA is planning the next round of water sample collection and testing in the Duchess of Kent Children's Hospital at Sandy Bay.

Ends/Thursday, September 17, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:13

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