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Metal flakes from ice machine




2007

I work in an assisted living facility and have been there for a year. Recently I discovered
metal flakes in the residents drinking water. I alerted the staff and it was traced to the automatic ice machine. I am not sure if it is aluminum or chrome that is coming off the unit but I doubt that either would safe to ingest. I understand from another worker it was discovered over 3 years ago and nothing was done to correct the problem, since no one took the time to figure out where it was coming from.
My question is, does anyone have information or resources to find out the potential effects on the residents who have ingested the metal for over 3 years? Where would I go to find such info. I am quite alarmed and is my concern valid?

Annette Cain
Consumer - Miltonvale, Kansas, USA



simultaneous replies

My personal, not professional opinion, is that it is not going to kill anyone. A simple letter to the manufacturer of the icemaker should tell you what is causing it. My guess is that it is nickel plate on one of the lines. Step one would be to put a cheap filter in front of the unit. It really should have a carbon filter and a regular filter that is changed out about 4 times a year. Better tasting ice and a lot safer. If they do this and there is still flakes, then it is a problem in the icemaker. This may be warranty work, or it may be a few hundred dollars to swap out the component that the MFG says is the problem if it is out of warranty.
It eats into the company's profits, but it should be fixed.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2007



2007

The Kansas State Health and Welfare department would probably be glad to help.
Department of Health and Environment(webpage)
KCLPPP
1000 S.W. Jackson St., Suite 330
Topeka, Kansas 66612-1274
(866)-UNLEADEDKS or (866)-865-3233
FAX: (785) 296-5594
This one deals mostly with the investigation into the possibility that children (or others) are being exposed to lead poisoning; they might be able to point you in the right direction.

Sheldon Taylor
Sheldon Taylor
supply chain electronics
Wake Forest, North Carolina





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