poledriver
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2005
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NT children sniffing fuel leading to elevated blood lead levels a 'public health emergency'
The number of Northern Territory children with elevated blood lead levels from sniffing aviation fuel is higher than previously thought, authorities have said, amid "a public health emergency" in some remote communities.
The NT Health Department has conducted blood tests across several north-east Arnhem Land communities, targeting anyone thought to be sniffing fuel, as part of an emergency health campaign that began in April.
Of the 178 young people tested, 154 were found to have elevated levels of lead in their blood.
The highest was 17 times above the acceptable levels of 5 micrograms per decilitre; the average was six times above acceptable levels.
The NT has the highest levels of lead detected in blood of anywhere in the developed world, NT Centre for Disease Control acting director Charles Douglas said.
"It's a public health emergency," he said.
"It's a serious issue because the levels are high and, particularly in children, the effects are long-term and some of them are irreversible."
In May, the ABC revealed some children on Elcho Island were climbing on to planes and siphoning avgas from fuel tanks in the wings.
Trevor Gurruwiwi from Marthakal Group said the results were "very, very shocking".
He said the group, which runs the airport on Elcho Island is taking steps to address the problem, including seeking government funding for a security guard to patrol the airstrip and organising a community-led rehabilitative bush camp for children addicted to sniffing avgas.
Mr Douglas said it was pleasing to note a slight reduction in levels since testing began in April, due to children being prevented from accessing the source of the fuel in those communities tested — Galiwinku, Gapuwiyak, Yirrkala, Milingimbi, and some remote homelands on Elcho Island.
There was no evidence so far of the problem having spread to other communities, he said.
Cont -
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-06/higher-blood-lead-levels-for-nt-kids-sniffing-fuel/8676550
The number of Northern Territory children with elevated blood lead levels from sniffing aviation fuel is higher than previously thought, authorities have said, amid "a public health emergency" in some remote communities.
The NT Health Department has conducted blood tests across several north-east Arnhem Land communities, targeting anyone thought to be sniffing fuel, as part of an emergency health campaign that began in April.
Of the 178 young people tested, 154 were found to have elevated levels of lead in their blood.
The highest was 17 times above the acceptable levels of 5 micrograms per decilitre; the average was six times above acceptable levels.
The NT has the highest levels of lead detected in blood of anywhere in the developed world, NT Centre for Disease Control acting director Charles Douglas said.
"It's a public health emergency," he said.
"It's a serious issue because the levels are high and, particularly in children, the effects are long-term and some of them are irreversible."
In May, the ABC revealed some children on Elcho Island were climbing on to planes and siphoning avgas from fuel tanks in the wings.
Trevor Gurruwiwi from Marthakal Group said the results were "very, very shocking".
He said the group, which runs the airport on Elcho Island is taking steps to address the problem, including seeking government funding for a security guard to patrol the airstrip and organising a community-led rehabilitative bush camp for children addicted to sniffing avgas.
Mr Douglas said it was pleasing to note a slight reduction in levels since testing began in April, due to children being prevented from accessing the source of the fuel in those communities tested — Galiwinku, Gapuwiyak, Yirrkala, Milingimbi, and some remote homelands on Elcho Island.
There was no evidence so far of the problem having spread to other communities, he said.
Cont -
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-06/higher-blood-lead-levels-for-nt-kids-sniffing-fuel/8676550
