[Greens-Media] Government Must Come Clean on Port Pirie Smelter

[Franks, Office]

Lead pollution from Nyrstar's Port Pirie smelter must be cut to within acceptable health standards without further delay say the Greens.
Greens Health spokesperson Tammy Franks MLC said "The insidious lead poisoning of 3000 children in the last decade alone is a shameful testament to the failure of the current government to take the big steps necessary to deal with this ongoing menace.
"The government must immediately demonstrate its commitment to tackling what is an epidemic of lead poisoning that has blighted the Port Pirie community for far too long.
"Inaction, hand wringing and platitudes about the undoubted importance of the smelter to the town's economy are no substitute for a funded plan to upgrade the smelter into a facility suited to the 21st century not the 19th century.
 "The effects of lead exposure in the community are tragically well-known. Serious health consequences can occur sometimes even from exposure to levels less than World Health Organisation (WHO) standards. Children of course are particularly vulnerable to the possible harms.
 "A much-needed retrofit of the smelter is urgently needed to ensure its emissions will not further threaten the health of the children and community of Port Pirie.
"The Greens have previously highlighted the failure of the 'Ten by 10' initiative* to reach its goal for at least 95% of 0-4 year old children to below the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard of 10 micrograms per deciliter by the end of 2010.
"My questions in Parliament earlier this year on the action the Government would take to secure the future of both the smelter AND the health of Port Pirie residents continue to go unanswered by the Minister. It's just not good enough! Ms Franks concluded

*The 'Ten by 10' initiative was a partnership between Health SA, the EPA, the Port Pirie Regional Council and Nyrstar to reduce blood lead levels. It has since been replaced by 'Ten for them' which does not have EPA or Health SA involvement and sets no specific investment or blood lead level targets.


                 For further comment contact Jamnes Danenberg on 0457 549 938