Lead Concentration in Rain Water Used for Drinking in the Area Surrounding Bangkok

Abstract

Lead concentrations in jar water, originating from rain and used for drinking, were measured in 1990 in some of the villages surrounding Bangkok, Thailand. There were differences in lead concentrations among the villages: the values were 2.32, 1.38, 1.05 and 3.48 μg/liter in Maptaphut, Rai-Noong, Leam-Chabang and Rangsit-Pathumtani, respectively. As to direct health effects, these lead levels in the water were acceptably low at that point in time in 1990 when the study was conducted. The lead concentration in rain water was considered to be an appropriate indicator representing environmental quality under rapid industrialization. Considering that further advancement of industrialization and urbanization is expected in these areas in the near future, periodic measurement is needed for longitudinal environmental monitoring. The values presented herein can be used as background data before extensive urbanization.

Effects of Catchment, First‐Flush, Storage Conditions, and Time on Microbial Quality in Rainwater Harvesting Systems

“…This is because the quality of stored rainwater usually does not meet drinking water quality standards (Gould, 1999;Lee et al, 2010;Lye, 2002;Zhu et al, 2004). A variety of factors affect the quality of harvested rainwater, including dry periods (Sazakli et al, 2007;Vazquez et al, 2003), catchment type (Nair et al, 2001;Nakata et al, 1995), and storage conditions (Chang et al, 2004;Forster, 1999). Weather patterns can also significantly influence the bacterial load in roof run-off (Evans et al, 2006).…”