[Greens-Media] Autism link to coal-fired power stations must be investigated

[John Kaye]

Autism link to coal-fired power stations must be investigated
 
Media release: 3 October 2010
 
International evidence linking mercury emitted from  coal-fired power stations to the alarming increases in autism should sound alarm bells for the NSW government and their plans for two new fossil fuel generators, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. ('Autism coal link study stalled by government' SMH 4 October page 3, http://bit.ly/smh101004)
 
Dr Kaye said: "A number of scientific studies published in the USA in the last five years have suggested that the increasing incidence of autism may be related to coal-fired power stations and the significant amounts of environmental mercury they emit. 
 
"While the evidence is not yet conclusive, the potential consequences are so grave and far reaching that experts are warning government to exercise extreme caution with industrial sources of mercury.  
 
"Neither level of government is taking the advice seriously
 
"The NSW government has approved plans for private investors to build two new power giant stations in Lithgow and the Upper Hunter.
 
"More mercury in the atmosphere means a greater risk of increased autism and the devastating consequences it can bring to children and their families.
 
"The Federal government has frustrated a leading Australian researcher trying to gain  access to data that would help pinpoint the problem in Australia.
 
"Without access to the data held by Centrelink, Australia will continue to be in the dark over the impacts on the development of babies and infants of the one third of mercury exposure that comes from coal-burning in power stations. 
 
"The number of children presenting with autism in NSW government schools grew by 165 percent over the six year period to 2009.
 
"State and federal government should cooperate to ensure that the best possible evidence is used to establish or debunk the link between coal, mercury and autism.
 
"Building new coal-fired power stations before the research has been completed would be completely irresponsible," Dr Kaye said. 
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455 
 
 
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John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: john.kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
web: www.johnkaye.org.au
 
mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000