SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

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MAINLAND

Marsh Warbler singing in quarry at Sumburgh Head.

Quail singing at Pool of Virkie.

Rose-coloured Starling at Sellafirth.

ISLANDS

No news.

 

https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.html 

 

I've been suffering to the extreme with my itchy head and scalp, which is now seriously affecting my quality of sleep, which has been almost non existent over the last couple of nights and with going to work that is difficult to cope with. I can't handle this much more, I'm at my wits end. Long story short..... after much Googling, I discovered recently that you can purchase a shower head with a filter, which apparently removes lots of unwanted things in the water including metals, lead, chlorine etc etc. There are lots on the market, but after checking many reviews, awards etc etc I finally decided on the Curo Skin Filtered Shower Head and ordered this a few days ago. Why the hell I haven't found this out before I really don't know, but I suppose when you live on your own and there is nobody else to really talk to about this, it makes seeking advice difficult. Huge thanks to my long time blog supporter John, who kindly sent me an advice email about this recently.

Review from "Good Housekeeping" HERE: Product link HERE. Replacement filter here. I will be sent a new filter every 90 days at £34.00. This may sound expensive, but to potentially lead a normal life, this will be worth every penny if it works.

 

This product arrived today and was simple to install. Removed my shower head, replaced with new one – place filter in behind screw off shower head front section and go! I also ordered Curo's shower bracket for £10 to take the weight of the heavier shower head. I'm going to pray this works or at least relieves my symptoms. Ultimately I need to replace the lead pipe to my property but don't have the finances to do this.

 

After more Googling this evening I found out the following (see in blue), which is why (I guess) my symptoms have been worse over the last week, as we have had a run of hot weather (hot for Shetland) over a few days!!! I also don't think its just the lead causing my issues, I think is the other levels of metals in the water as well. I know from skin tests several years ago (I kept the paperwork results) that I am allergic to metals, so an increase in the percentage of metals to what I was used to prior to moving here, may be the issue, who knows! I was referred to see a dermatologist a while ago, but to have to wait until September to see one. There was a dermatology clinic this month (June) and I got myself on the cancellation list, but I was told this week that the clinic was full and there was no cancellations and so I have to wait until September, which is the next time a dermatologist comes up from 'south'.

 

Lead contamination in drinking water is significantly worse in hot weather. The rate at which lead dissolves from old pipes or soldered joints into your drinking water increases dramatically as water and ground temperatures rise.

Why Heat Increases Lead Leaching

• Higher Dissolvability: As water temperature increases, lead dissolves much faster. Studies show that for every 1°C rise in water temperature, dissolved lead levels can increase by about 17%.
• Seasonal Changes: Research indicates there can be up to three times as much dissolved lead in water during the summer and autumn months compared to the winter. 
• Standing Water: Hot weather means water stays warmer inside the house, especially if it sits in the pipes for a few hours, giving the lead more time to leach into the supply.

This evening I have emailed Anglian Water (Norfolk) to ask their advice re the results from my water test here in comparison to metal levels etc where I used to live.