[Greens-Media] Record Hunter child asthma levels: comprehensive study needed

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE
7 May 2010


Record Hunter child asthma levels: comprehensive study needed

Commenting on the report that the Hunter has the highest proportion of children in NSW diagnosed with asthma, Greens MP and Hunter spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on the government to immediately announce a comprehensive population health study to assess the impact of the coal and power industries in the region and to crack down on mines and industries that do not abide by pollution regulations. (Newcastle Herald today http://bit.ly/9cO4Ys) 
 
The 2007-8 Report on Child Health found that 25.6 per cent of two to eight year olds and 39.8 per cent of 9 to 15 year olds living in the Hunter New England Health area have been diagnosed with asthma. These figures are the highest for the eight health areas in NSW. 
 
"These figures are alarming the evidence is mounting and the Premier Kristina Keneally needs to step in and fast track a comprehensive population health study in the Hunter," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Setting up an expert air quality panel is a start but it should be overseeing a comprehensive health study, not pondering whether one is needed.
 
"Coal affected communities and the Greens have been calling for this study for years.
 
"Such a study is the ethical response to these alarming figures. The cumulative impact of the coal mining and power industries needs to be included.
 
"The health of young people of this region should not be compromised because the NSW government will not force mining companies and power station operators to clean up their operations.
 
"It is time that the government enforced the rules it has set. Where companies do not comply their operations should be shut down for a set period until they do.

"Last month the NSW government voted against a Greens motion that called for a comprehensive population health study to assess the impact of the coal and power industries in the Hunter. 
 
"The motion also called for adequate air quality monitoring stations and a permanent and well-resourced EPA office in the Upper Hunter to monitor pollution.
 
"The high numbers of young asthma suffers puts the pressure back on the government to set up the study and enforce the conditions of consent that coalmines and other industries operate under," Ms Rhiannon said.
 
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