How and where to get drinking water tested for lead levels

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QUESTION: How and where to get drinking water tested for lead levels, 29 Sep 2006, New South Wales Australia

Please can you advise how and where it is possible to get our drinking water tested for lead levels?
Thanks.

ANSWER: 29 Sep 2006

Dear Richard,

Update 2012: You can purchase a water testing kit specifically for lead, from The LEAD Group, Water Kit $100 or $85 for LEAD Group members for 2 tests, You can also purchase kits to test soil, dust, toys etc. Basic Kit $120 or $100 for LEAD Group members for 2 tests or Comprehensive Kit $275 or $250 for LEAD Group members for 8 tests, see: Do–It–Yourself Lead Safe Test Kits. This covers the cost for laboratory analysis.

Become a member of The LEAD Group Inc.

I could post you a water sample bottle so you can collect a sample of water (bottle no longer available, from The LEAD Group, request one from the lab of your choosing - link below or see link above) and then send it off to a lab either just for lead analysis or you may want to have other heavy metals analysed as well. You can check out our list of labs - www.lead.org.au/clp/analysislabs.html - and phone a few to find out the cost involved but from what I know the cheapest lab that is NATA accredited to test metals in water is Sydney Analytical Laboratories (SAL) on 02 9838 8903. The other option would be for you to phone them (you'll need to ask the price so you can forward payment with the sample or pay by EFT) and ask SAL to post you a sample bottle.

Please notify me if you want me to post this sample bottle to the given address.
Please find attached the instructions on sample collection and accompanying paperwork.
If you've been drinking the water you are going to test, or if the home is pre-1970, the best way to find out if anyone has been exposed to lead is to have a blood lead test organised through your GP. The latest amazing research on the effects of lead is attached: "Lead in Blood: 'Safe' Levels Too High? Average Americans Tested Had Level High Enough for Increased Heart Disease Death Risk". Your doctor may need to read this to properly interpret the blood lead results.
Regards,
Elizabeth O'Brien