The latest report from the Department for Health and Wellbeings (DHW) monitoring program of blood lead levels of children in Port Pirie has found lead levels in the children to have worsened.
Director of Scientific Services at DHW, David Simon said the quarterly report Port Pirie Blood Lead Levels: Analysis of blood lead levels for the first half of 2021 (1 January-30 June 2021), provided a snapshot of the blood lead levels of children from birth until five years of age over the past 10 years.
“The latest results show a deterioration in all reported blood lead indicators compared to the same reporting period last year, meaning the worsening blood-lead levels reported in the last quarter have continued,” Dr Simon said.
DHW said SA Health, in partnership with the Targeted Lead Abatement Program (TLAP), offered all children with elevated blood lead levels tailored interventions however, given the known effect of lead on children’s developing brains, preventing exposure in the first place was the primary objective.
“Case workers work closely with parents and caregivers of children with elevated blood lead levels to assist families in reducing lead exposure ensuring each child’s living environment is as dust-free as possible,” Dr Simon said.
DHW said that in the second quarter of 2021, 37.4 per cent of children tested had blood lead levels below the national lead exposure level of five micrograms per decilitre, which was two per cent worse than the second quarter of 2020.
The seven-page Port Pirie Blood Lead Levels: Analysis of blood lead levels for the first half of 2021 (1 January-30 June 2021) can be accessed at this PS News link.
