[Greens-Media] Greens: Head in the Sand No Way to Treat Lead in the Soil

[Franks, Office]

Greens Health and Families & Communities spokesperson Tammy Franks MLC has slammed the government's failure to yet again come clean over Port Pirie lead levels. The call comes amid media revelations of lead testing results highlighting one in five sites tested exceeded national standards being withheld since April this year.

Excessive exposure to lead is linked to a multitude of health problems http://bitly.com/Mx02fc

"This latest revelation from a whistle-blower within SA Health paints a pattern of a government in denial mode when it comes to dealing with the significant health issues of high lead levels in Port Pirie.

"Disturbingly the news that some 20% of the 353 test results for excessive lead on Council-owned land in the Port Pirie township are above national standards indicates issues of grave concern which should be addressed with transparency and urgent action, not secrecy and delay.

"The fact that these results have been known since April, but kept under wraps, indicate the Government is failing South Australians on this issue. It comes a few months after another key report on the town's lead problems by Professor Mark Taylor was also kept from the public eye.

"Whilst this secrecy may temporarily stall negative media, it does nothing for the health and welfare of the residents, and in particular for the children of Port Pirie.

"This all raises serious questions about the government's real commitment to tackle what is a complex and enduring problem.

"The 'Tenby10' program that aimed to reduce lead in the town's children to below 10 micrograms per decilitre by 2010 was unsuccessful in meeting its goals and was subsequently replaced with the 'Ten For Them' program that lacked even a deadline. These have now been replaced by Nyrstar with another program - 'Thumbs up for Low Levels', however this latest initiative lacks BOTH numerical targets and any deadlines. If it wasn't such a serious concern it would be laughable.

"The Greens recognise Port Pirie's reliance on the smelter for its economic wellbeing, but also that it is common knowledge that the century-old smelter must be upgraded to address the serious health issues that bedevil the town and its children - and that this will cost money.

"We know the outcome of further inaction or delay will be serious and ongoing health problems as a result of the contamination.

"The excessive spending on projects like the revamped Adelaide Oval and footbridge or the South Road Superway (aka 'Superwaste') has been prioritised over the needs of the children of Port Pirie by this Government.

"The Greens are calling for the Minister for Health to explain just what the government is actually doing now about safeguarding the health of the children in Port Pirie and just when we will see the upgrade of the smelter to bring it up to the emission standards expected of a modern manufacturing plant," Ms Franks concluded.


For further comment contact Jamnes Danenberg on 0457 549 938