Abstract of a speech by Jason Bawden-Smith, Santo
Cannata and Mark Bek, Public Health Unit for Central and Southern Sydney, NSW
An 18 month old aboriginal child presented to a local GP with an acute
viral illness. The doctor noted a pale appearance in the child and determined a history of
pica behaviour. The patient was also found to be residing in an old inner city swelling
with flaking paint. Results of a full blood count and blood lead assay revealed the child
had severe iron deficiency, anaemia and a blood lead level (Bpb) of 2.17 µmol/L. The
patient was admitted to the Royal Alexandria Hospital for Children (Sydney) soon after.
A detailed environmental lead assessment and interview with guardians
revealed that the child had eaten flaking high lead-based paints from the hallway and
bedroom. Soil lead levels in the child's play areas were also high. The patient was
visiting relatives in public housing over the Christmas period.
This talk reports the findings of this case study and discusses the
implications for public and private owners. §
