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School water contamination: cover-up must stop
Monday 15 March 2010
Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on the NSW Education Minister Verity Firth to release the detailed tests conducted in 2009 that show children in a further 35 NSW public schools had drinking water contaminated by lead, copper and E. coli
Sunday Telegraph today.
"It is not good enough that it is only after questioning of the
Minister for Education that parents and the public find out that
school children are drinking contaminated water," Ms Rhiannon said.
Read the answers from Ms Rhiannon's questions to the NSW Education
Minister.
"Young people's health is not something to gamble with. It's time the
government was completely open with the test results so the severity
of the contamination is clear.
"The Education Department must outline procedures for testing,
identifying and reducing contamination in school water supplies.
"It is unclear whether the Education Department conduct spot tests,
missing schools that might be a risk, and what information it reveals
to communities once results are received.
"It may be lead levels are so high that blood tests of students are
warranted, but without detailed information school communities are in
the dark.
"Lead poisoning is particularly problematic for children, with risks
of impaired physical and mental development, lowered IQ level and
shortened attention spans.
"Copper contamination from pipes can lead to gastrointestinal
disturbance, including nausea and vomiting and in the long term risks
liver or kidney damage.
"School communities deserve reassurance that there is a thorough
testing process in place, for all schools with water tanks.
"Families and school communities deserve the full picture so they can
be confident the issue is being properly managed rather than health
risks swept under the carpet," Ms Rhiannon said.
For more information: 0427 861 568
