MONTREAL (CP) - Thousands of Montreal homes and apartments are served by city water pipes made of lead but the public health department said Wednesday the water is safe to drink.
Dr. John Carsley said he doesn't expect to see any ill effects as a result of the lead pipes, but recommended that pregnant women and children under six should use a water filter on their taps. "None of the analyses we did show that there should be any concerns about the health effects of lead if people have been exposed to it in these houses," he told a news conference.
Tests dating back to 2005 revealed lead levels only minimally higher than provincial standards.
"The levels that we determined were well below the levels where you would expect to see any health effects," said Carsley, head of the city's infectious disease unit.
City officials say only homes and apartments with fewer than eight units built before 1970 are affected.
The city nevertheless warned more than 75,000 homeowners and tenants, "to make sure we covered all the eventualities."
The City of Montreal expects to replace pipes in about 75,000 buildings over 20 years at a cost of $270 million.
Hardest hit are old, established neighbourhoods such as Notre-Dame-de-Grace, St-Michel and Plateau-Mont Royal.
Copyright © 2007 Canadian Press
Dr. John Carsley said he doesn't expect to see any ill effects as a result of the lead pipes, but recommended that pregnant women and children under six should use a water filter on their taps. "None of the analyses we did show that there should be any concerns about the health effects of lead if people have been exposed to it in these houses," he told a news conference.
Tests dating back to 2005 revealed lead levels only minimally higher than provincial standards.
"The levels that we determined were well below the levels where you would expect to see any health effects," said Carsley, head of the city's infectious disease unit.
City officials say only homes and apartments with fewer than eight units built before 1970 are affected.
The city nevertheless warned more than 75,000 homeowners and tenants, "to make sure we covered all the eventualities."
The City of Montreal expects to replace pipes in about 75,000 buildings over 20 years at a cost of $270 million.
Hardest hit are old, established neighbourhoods such as Notre-Dame-de-Grace, St-Michel and Plateau-Mont Royal.
Copyright © 2007 Canadian Press