A message to Doctors about lead dangers

More and more evidence is accumulating about the wide range of health problems caused by environmental lead poisoning, particularly for infants and young children. Our study in 1996 found that possibly 25% of under-five children in Sydney have blood lead levels above the NH&MRC recommended level of 0.48 µmol/L (10 µg/dL.).

The problem for doctors is that, in most cases, lead poisoning will not exhibit
clinical symptoms, even though damage is occurring.

Doctors must get into the habit, whenever they see children, of checking whether the child has been exposed to risk factors. If so, a blood lead test is indicated.

This edition of Lead Action news is designed to supplement the valuable document  A Guide for Health Care Professionals published by the NSW Lead Reference Centre.

This edition contains a simple questionnaire that will identify key risk factors among your young patients. Please, get all your families with children to complete it. If they have risk factors, get them to have a blood lead test even if there are no symptoms.

 Professor Michael Mira,
CSDGP (Central Sydney Division of General Practice)