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The
LEAD (Lead Education and Abatement Design) Group, has developed a model
policy for national governments to prevent lead poisoning in their
own populations.
The
policy is The LEAD Group’s contribution to the NHMRC’s (National
Health and Medical Research Council) recent Canberra meeting to
develop such a policy for Australia.
“The
problem of lead poisoning goes beyond Australia,” says Elizabeth
O’Brien, President of The LEAD Group. “And what goes around comes
around – lead-contaminated food, toys and other products being a
case in point.”
“Australia’s
lead (and lead-containing coal) is exported to the world. It’s
therefore appropriate and a moral imperative, that The LEAD Group
“export” a policy, via our website, for preventing lead poisoning
and contamination.”
The
model policy outlines the steps national health ministers need to take
to cover the three phases of preventing lead poisoning: primary,
secondary and tertiary prevention.
“A
critical mass of research exists for national governments to consult,
in formulating the specific details of their own policy,” said Ms
O’Brien, “but, we also recommend they ask the World Health
Organisation to carry out research in tertiary prevention – that is,
preventing the lead already in a person’s body from causing further
harm. We all carry a burden of lead because of “the mistake of the
20th century” – adding lead to petrol.”
“Research
is needed on whether treatment or other interventions prevent any of
the associated adverse effects that are linked with lead: infertility,
sub-optimal foetal and childhood development, later schizophrenia,
Alzheimer’s, and hypertension to name a few” she said.
“Rapid
industrialization, by India and China in particular, means the
adoption by those countries, of a national policy for preventing lead
poisoning is vital for the health of their populations. Because of the
high prevalence of lead poisoning in China, The LEAD Group has just
web-published our first non-English language factsheet, in
Mandarin.” See 铅，衰老和死亡
- “Lead, Ageing and Death.”
“The
LEAD Group’s continued existence and growth will help promote
adoption, by the countries of the world, of the model health policy
for the achievement of our ultimate goal – global lead poisoning
elimination and the protection of the environment from lead.”
Contact:
Elizabeth O’Brien, The LEAD Group - +61 2 9716 0132, mobile +61 431
184 933 ### |
