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In April this year, results showed that the number of children under five with lead levels over 10 micrograms per decilitre was at its lowest since recording was started in the early 1980s.
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Results for the first half of 2008 show that 63.1% of children tested recorded a blood lead level less than 10 micrograms per decilitre - This is an 8% improvement compared to this time last year.
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Since 2005, there has been a 20.7% improvement in the number of children under five with blood lead levels under the World Health Organisation ‘level of concern’
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The number of children with a Blood Lead Level equal or greater than 20 micrograms per decilitre has almost halved from 63 children at June 2007 to 32 children at June 2008.
The Minister told the Assembly that the reduction in blood lead levels could be largely attributed to the tenby10 program.
“Tenby10 is a joint initiative between Nyrstar Ltd (that’s the Port Pirie Smelter), the Port Pirie Regional Council and the State Government.
“The tenby10 project has set a goal to ensure that at least 95% of children under 5 have a blood lead level of less than 10 micrograms per decilitre by the end of 2010.
“This is a challenging target, but can be achieved if the same rates of improvement that have been observed over the past few years are sustained into the future.
“Success in reducing blood lead levels in children in Port Pirie has come about due to the combined efforts of the smelter operator, Nyrstar, the local Port Pirie Regional Council, the Environmental Protection Authority and SA Health. Of particular importance has been the substantial investment by Nyrstar in on site emission control measures and environmental programs.
“Extensive community education and awareness programs have had the effect of increasing people’s understanding of the interaction of lead dust in the environment and how to limit children’s exposure to lead dust within the home.
“Blood testing undertaken by the Department of Health has identified children with high blood lead levels, allowing us to directly assist individual families to reduce exposure to lead dust.
“The figures I am releasing today demonstrate that we are making considerable progress in solving a problem that has plagued the people of Port Pirie for decades. The people of Port Pirie, the local council and Nyrstar are to be congratulated on this achievement.”
Posted on Thursday, April 17, 2008
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