Asbestos pipes

Press, 30 June 1983, Page 16

Asbestos pipes

Sir,—Could Dr J. C. J. Stoke, of the Health Department, please enlighten me as to the factual basis of his “consideration” that “drinking water carried through asbestos cement pipes is not a health risk.” (“The Press,” June 18).—Yours, etc JEREMY EVISON. June 19, 1983. [Dr Stoke replies: “I appreciate the concern of your correspondent about the possible hazards attached to the use of asbestos cement water piping in the light of the recent publicity about the use of

this material. However, the Department of Health feels justified in confirming that it sees no health risk from drinking water that has passed through asbestos cement pipes. The effects of ingested, as well as inhaled, asbestos have been the subject of intensive research and in 1972, for example, the International Agency for Research on Cancer — a branch of the World Health Organisation — in conjunction with a group of leading scientists convened to study the biological effects of asbestos, concluded that there was no cause for concern from the use of A.C. piping with drinking water. Asbestos, indeed, is commonly found in many domestic water sources, such as lakes and rivers, with levels varying from a few fibres to many millions per litre. For this reason, the W.H.O. has not been able to set a firm limit on the presence of asbestos in water. The effects of inhaled asbestos are a different matter and have also been extensively studied in occupational groups exposed to asbestos. The health hazards from the above have coincidentally been recently reviewed and the findings are contained in a statement about to be released by the department and worthy of the closest of attention by all concerned. I trust the above information may serve to allay the fears of those with an interest in this important matter.”]