Can anyone recommend a lead testing firm/kit/option for water coming to kitchen tap and dust/paint. We have a baby and it's an old Victorian house (in London N1). I can't see the incoming main or internal connection as its under concrete or in walls.
thx
E.
there's a bit at
Look in YP for companies that test water for its many contaminants.
Arsenic pigmented paint was used in some Vic buildings, its much more toxic than lead, but also much less common. Google 'paris green' for more.
Back to reality though, most houses have far bigger risks.
NT
You really don't have to worry about lead water pipes in London - the water is hard and coated the insides many years ago.
If you cut through a lead pipe that has had decades of exposure to North London water, you will find it is well lined with a stone hard deposit that completely prevents any contamination. Lead pipes are only a problem in soft water areas.
Colin Bignell
The strange thing is that if you measure the lead content from an average domestic incoming main after water has been lying overnight, it will still be a tiny fraction of the allowed amount. Running off a few litres ofwater first thing before using it makes it near immeasurable - unless coming from other sources, which of course you can do little about.
Unlikely to be a problem in London - the pipes will have a nice orange coating inside by now. If you are worried, then a decent plumbed in compressed carbon block water filter will have away any trace of lead and all manner of other crap into the process.
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