FREE blood lead level tests are now available for children and pregnant women in Boolaroo, Speers Point and Argenton.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hunter New England Health’s three-week screening program started on Monday.
It is in response to recent concern about elevated lead levels found in soil on northern Lake Macquarie properties after Boolaroo’s Pasminco Smelter closed in 2003.
The test involves a simple finger prick and results are available on the spot.
If the test registers a result of five micrograms of lead per decilitre of blood or more, a traditional blood sample is taken to confirm the result. Further assessment and information about how to reduce blood lead levels follows.
Hunter New England Health physician Dr Craig Dalton said lead exposure in children could come from soil, a particular concern in the Boolaroo area, or from lead-based paints widely used in pre-1970s homes.
Expectant mothers were more likely to have been exposed to lead dust in the environment.
The National Health and Medical Research Council ‘‘level of concern’’ has been halved in response to decreasing blood lead levels.
The percentage of children under five with blood lead levels exceeding 10 micrograms a decilitre was 40 per cent from 1997 to 2003, 26 per cent in 2004, 17 per cent in 2005 and 7 per cent in 2006.
Dr Dalton said it was likely that downward trend would continue, but it was important to screen those at risk to be sure.
Young children and pregnant women are the most vulnerable.
Lead can cause developmental delays, attention deficits, hearing loss and behavioural problems.
The screening has started this week at 51 Main Road, Boolaroo, and continues for three weeks.
Make an appointment online at leadscreen.info or phone 4924 6477.