Hong Kong’s lead-in-drinking-water crisis: everything you need to know
As the lead-in-water crisis spreads to more public housing estates in Hong Kong, the South China Morning Post’s BEN WESTCOTT and SAMUEL CHAN spoke to experts and reviewed laws to answer the issue’s major questions.
As the lead-in-water crisis spreads to more public housing estates in Hong Kong, the South China Morning Post’s BEN WESTCOTT and SAMUEL CHAN spoke to experts and reviewed laws to answer the issue’s major questions.
The fear over tainted water in Hong Kong has thrown hundreds of residents' lives into chaos and left thousands more wondering if their water is safe to drink.
The discovery of lead at levels up to three times higher than the World Health Organisation's recommended level in drinking water from a public housing estate in Kowloon has grown to affect more than 1,500 local households.
Elderly Hongkongers have found themselves carting heavy containers of water to their flats, while the housing minister has been forced to apologise over confusing statements on the crisis.
The bad news for families who are concerned about their water quality is that lead can be extremely dangerous to drink, particularly for children who will be affected by smaller quantities than adults.
But that isn't the whole story. There are ways you can be sure your water is safe to drink.