The Tasmanian Greens today called on the Health Minister Michelle O’Byrne to investigate concerns that residents around Pioneer in northern Tasmania were not advised about elevated lead levels in their drinking water supply for at least two years after the initial detection.
Greens Water spokesperson Tim Morris MP has obtained information indicating that Ben Lomond Water detected lead at at 15 micrograms per litre on the 18th of November 2010, or 50% above the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
Mr Morris said despite that several further samples taken during 2011 and 2012 showed levels between 11 and 13 Micrograms per litre, it appeared no warnings were issued.
“The residents of Avoca and Pioneer were advised last week to not drink their water due to levels of Cadmium and Lead at Avoca, and Lead at Pioneer that exceeded the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines,” Mr Morris said.
“It appears that Ben Lomond Water was aware that the lead levels at Pioneer have been in excess of the guideline level for over two years and yet residents were not advised until now.”
“The Greens are calling on the Health Minister to investigate this alarming situation as a matter of urgency, to provide the community with some comfort and reassurance about the ongoing quality of their water supply.”
“The Minister needs to take action to ensure that the Water Corporations are required to advise the Public Health Division of the presence of heavy metals at the time of detection.”
“Residents have a right to know about the quality of their water supply, and will be rightly upset if they learn that this information was deliberately withheld from them.”
“The Greens welcome the Minister’s commitment in the Parliament to investigate this issue and we urge quick and decisive action to address residents’ concerns.”
SMOKING RATES AMONG TEEN MOTHERS A NATIONAL SHAME
Paul O’Halloran MP
Greens Health Spokesperson
Wednesday, 14 November 2012
The Tasmanian Greens today urged the Health Minister Michelle O’Byrne MP to prioritise a dedicated action plan to reduce the alarming rate of smoking among pregnant teenage mothers in Tasmania, which is still the highest in the nation.
During Question Time in Parliament today, Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP called on the Minister to make the issue a priority, including putting a greater focus on education about the dangers of smoking during pregnancy.
Mr O’Halloran also said that given Smoke Free Tasmania was holding a candle-light vigil on the Parliament Lawns tonight, a commitment to boost resourcing of anti-smoking educational programs would be timely.
“A recent study showed 23% of Tasmanian mothers self reported smoking while pregnant, which is the highest in the nation and 10% higher than the national average.”
“What’s truly alarming is that close to half of all teenage mothers in Tasmania are smoking while pregnant, and because this figure is based on self-reporting the figure could be much higher.”
“Recent ABS statistics also reveal that 570 Tasmanians die from tobacco related disease each year.”
“The first step is a greater focus on public education, to drive home the message that smoking during pregnancy can lead to low birth weight, premature birth and miscarriage.”
“A good place to start would be for the Minister to give serious consideration to Smoke Free Tasmania’s identified funding boost of $500,000 per year for media and public education campaigns.”
“That is an investment in the health of current and future generations.”
Link: Council of Obstetric & Paediatric Mortality & Morbidity Annual Report 2010:
http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/112444/2010_COPMM_ANNUAL_REPORT_Tasmania.pdf
