80,000 babies will be born in New South Wales this year and by the time they are four years old nearly 6,000 of them may have too much lead in their blood.

…..would you give us some MEDIA TIME?

Loss of IQ and learning ability; behavioural problems; kidney damage; hearing loss are just some of the effects of lead poisoning.

Some "at-risk" children are those children under the age of four:

• living in or who frequently visit a pre-1970 home where renovations are taking place or paint is peeling or chipping (there are 1.2 million pre-1970 homes in NSW)

• living in or who frequently visit a house near a lead releasing industry
  (e.g. lead mine, lead smelter, battery recycling plant)

• who live with an adult whose job or hobby uses lead
  (e.g. leadlighting, electronics, shooting instruction, lead mining or smelting, car battery service/repair/manufacture, , automotive repair or panel beating)

We request your help in promoting Lead Poisoning Awareness Week Sunday, 18^th October to Saturday, 24^th October 1998.

Parents and carers need to take action to minimise the risk to their children of becoming lead poisoned. They need to reduce exposure through safe renovation or hobby practices, safe work practices and knowing where the lead hazards are and how to manage them safely.

For information: phone EPA Lead Pollution Line 131 555
For advice: phone Lead Advisory Service (NSW) 1800 626 086

Media contact:
Michelle CALVERT - Education Officer (02) 9716 0966 or 015 662263 fax (02) 9716 9005
Lois JOHNSON - Information Officer (02) 9716 0132

The Lead Advisory Service (NSW) is assisted by the NSW Government as part of the Lead Education Program. (The Lead Advisory Service is run by The LEAD Group Inc.)