Australia Extends Lead in Plumbing Deadline

0:00This is Corey with Sydney News Today, powered by the Daily News Now. Australia's Building Authority has extended the deadline for phasing out lead in plumbing products until May 1, 2028. This means homes, schools, and childcare centers can still install pipes and fittings with up to 6% lead content for another two years. The change comes from the Australian Building Coal's Board, which sets national standards for construction. The original plan, set three years ago, required switching to certified products with less than 0.25% lead to protect drinking, water. But the board cited a shortage of lead-free options and risks to the housing boom as reasons for the delay. They also noted supply issues from the pandemic left some businesses with extra lead stock. Industry groups are furious, calling it a setback for public health, especially for kids and pregnant women. Experts warn there's no safe level of lead exposure, which can harm brain development and hearts over time.

1:00Plumbing leaders say fittings last 50 years or more, so this could mean decades of risk in buildings. Some businesses that invested heavily in lead-free gear now feel undercut, as cheaper lead products might flood the market. Australia lags behind neighbors like New Zealand, which sticks to the earlier timeline, and countries such as the US and Canada, which banned. High-lead items over a decade ago. The board insists the decision is final and won't change, promising more demand for safe products soon. From May 2026, new manufacturing must be lead-free, aiming to balance health, supply, and construction needs. Quick thanks to today's sponsor. See the description for more. Podcasts hit different when the sound comes from your pillow. Once you try it, it just makes sense. S-O-L-L-I.