COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 12, 2007

MOTION NO. 3

MOTION: Councillor C. Keane

That this Council discuss with the aid of a report the lead levels in(a) the air (b) lead water pipes (c) fumes from leaded petrol, (d) paints with lead content if used or banned in planning ? (e) lead handling industries in the County. To undertake this with a view to reducing the exposure to lead in the County -particularly to children as the neurotoxic effect is both cumulative and delayed, and to state what action could be undertaken.

REPORT:

The Principal Environmental Health Officer has reported that lead had been used as an additive in petrol for motor vehicles. The introduction of the sale of unleaded fuel in 1991 saw a dramatic reduction of air borne lead in the Dublin region. Since 2000, leaded fuel is no longer sold in Irish garages. Recorded levels of air borne lead are well with the EU limits

Lead in paint was used as a drying agent. The European Union banned the use of lead in paints and all paint manufactures now use alternative drying additives.

There are industrial activities throughout the county but they have made no impact on the lead levels recorded in the region.

With regard to lead water pipes there are no known lead water mains in the Council’s area. There are however a number of lead service pipes to households in some older areas of the County such as, Terenure, Templeogue and Rathfarnham.

The Council’s Water Maintenance Section replace the public section of these services at opportune times, such as, when the main is being upgraded or repaired