Lead threats to children set to increase

Monday, 22 February 1999 10:00

 "The Lead Advisory Service, a community operated centre providing free information to the public, has been told to plan the winding up its operations by the end of the financial year, but reasons for the closure have not been provided, " said Ms Jo Immig, Chemicals Campaigner, Total Environment Centre.

"Lead is a community issue and the success of the Service illustrates the community's willingness to take charge of their destiny. Working at the 'coal face' isn't a strong point for the NSW EPA, so community-run services such as these are critical."

"If the NSW government thinks the lead issue is over, they're wrong. While significant progress has been made to reduce lead threats to children - the battle is far from over. The program needs to move into the next gear to ensure the good work that has been done has not been in vain."

"Total Environment Centre is already overwhelmed with calls from the public about chemicals and children. Without a specialist centre such as the Lead Advisory Service, the three hundred plus calls per month they currently receive will go unanswered. There's still a great deal of work to be done to ensure children are given the cleanest environment possible."
 
"If anything, the Service should be expanded to deal with other commonly requested information about chemicals and children. But at the very least the Service should be able to continue its important work without threats of closure," Ms Immig concluded.