Fact sheet on "Renting and Lead"

This new service has come about because of inquiries to LEADLINE by tenants experiencing problems with lead-contaminated premises. In order to be able to provide these inquirers with appropriate information, LEADLINE contacted the Marrickville Legal Centre, who offered to produce a fact sheet.

The solicitor who researched the information said that it had been very worthwhile, as "it's the type of issue that is in no-man's-land. Lead is not a traditional health hazard. Because of that, people don't realise it is a tenancy issue and so they are easily brushed aside."

He said "It comes down to the tenants providing evidence and proof of a lead health hazard. They would have to show the presence of lead in the premises." Once that is established, he said that the Tenancy Tribunal process offered a very appropriate way of dealing with tenants' lead problems - "It's an easy, informal process, there are strong compliance powers; it's a good tool for tenants."

Testing for Lead in Water

Most inquiries come from country Australians dependent on tank water, and concerned about the possible effects on their household water supply of old leaded paint on the galvanised iron roof, or of chalking lead flashings.

An inquiry was recently received indicating the possible presence of lead in first-flush drinking water. This inquirer had her 3-year-old son lead tested on the suggestion of an American friend, in an attempt to find the cause of his long-standing food intolerance. His blood lead level was .55 µmol/L (12 µg/dL).

The paediatric analyst who did the test told her it was "within the acceptable range of up to 1.9 µmol/L (40 µg/dL)." She subsequently saw an article in the Age newspaper showing much lower "acceptable levels". She contacted the Royal Children's' Hospital, who put her on to the EPA, and they gave her LEADLINE's number.

The child's blood lead level seemed too high to LEADLINE to have been caused by the small amount of sanding and stripping done in the house a fair while ago. There seemed to he no other lead source - the house was located in a quiet residential area well outside Adelaide.

After a long counselling session it was finally discovered that a special milk formula is still a big part of the child's diet because of his intolerance to so many other foods, and that until 6 months ago the mother was making his morning bottle with first-flush tap water. Then one day she tasted it herself, and it was so metallic she couldn't drink it. Since then she has run the tap for some time first before making up the bottle.

On hearing recently through network contacts that the Pasminco smelter at Sulphide, Boolaroo, is now going to accept leaded paint and dust waste, LEADLINE contacted Pasminco's Public Relations Officer to ask whether Broken Hill A smelter and EZ Metals in Hobart would also be prepared to accept such waste as part of industry's responsibility in the cradle-to-grave management of lead.

This proposition was accepted by the smelter management at a recent meeting, and LEADLINE now has their referral details in its books.

Replacement for Lead Product