Events Test

8/9/2009

"These figures show that together the community and the authorities are making steady progress in dealing with the long-term issue of blood-lead levels in children in Port Pirie.

"Significantly, the percentage of children with blood-lead levels over 10 micrograms per decilitre -- which is the World Health Organisation's 'level of concern' - is at its lowest level since reporting began in the early 1980s.

"The improvements can be attributed to a number of initiatives under tenby10 - a joint project between Nyrstar Ltd (the Port Pirie Smelter), the Port Pirie Regional Council and the State Government.

"The tenby10 project has achieved these excellent results with site emission control measures, community education and environmental and awareness programs.

"These wide-reaching community education and awareness programs have increased people's understanding of lead dust in the environment and how to limit their children's exposure to lead dust at home."

Nyrstar General Manager Matt Howell said, "Overall we are extremely pleased with how the tenby10 project is progressing, and are delighted that the project is supported by the entire Port Pirie community who are certainly playing a significant role in reducing children's blood lead levels.

"The latest blood lead results are extremely encouraging." Mr Howell said. Since 2005, there has been a 24.6 percent increase in the number of children under five with blood lead levels below 10 micrograms per decilitre. The number of children with a blood-lead level equal or greater than 20 micrograms per decilitre has more than halved from 63 children at June 2007 to 23 children at June 2009.

This article is from Mike Rann, Premier of South Australia's website:

http://www.ministers.sa.gov.au/news.php?id=5221&page=2

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