THE NATIONAL Health and Medical Research Council last week warned that there was no safe level of lead exposure for humans. The statement was released in conjunction with the peak body's halving of what it considers to be safe lead blood levels. Before last Tuesday, lead levels of 10 micrograms per decilitre of blood were accepted. The statement said blood lead levels greater than 5 micrograms per decilitre suggested a person had been, "or continues to be, exposed to lead at a level that is above what is considered average 'background' exposure in Australia." The council said it recommended investigating the source of exposure if greater levels were discovered, particularly if the person was a child or pregnant woman. "Health authorities in Australian states and territories should continue to focus on identifying people who have been exposed to more lead rather than the trace 'background' amounts typically found in the everyday environments of most communities," the statement said. "Identifying and controlling the source of lead exposure will reduce the risk of harm to the individual and to the community." It said people should be tested if there was reason to believe they had swallowed or breathed lead from any particular source, if they were suffering unexplained health problems or if they lived with someone who had a blood level greater than 5 micrograms per decilitre.
THE NATIONAL Health and Medical Research Council last week warned that there was no safe level of lead exposure for humans.
The statement was released in conjunction with the peak body's halving of what it considers to be safe lead blood levels.
Before last Tuesday, lead levels of 10 micrograms per decilitre of blood were accepted.
The statement said blood lead levels greater than 5 micrograms per decilitre suggested a person had been, "or continues to be, exposed to lead at a level that is above what is considered average 'background' exposure in Australia."
The council said it recommended investigating the source of exposure if greater levels were discovered, particularly if the person was a child or pregnant woman.
"Health authorities in Australian states and territories should continue to focus on identifying people who have been exposed to more lead rather than the trace 'background' amounts typically found in the everyday environments of most communities," the statement said.
"Identifying and controlling the source of lead exposure will reduce the risk of harm to the individual and to the community."
It said people should be tested if there was reason to believe they had swallowed or breathed lead from any particular source, if they were suffering unexplained health problems or if they lived with someone who had a blood level greater than 5 micrograms per decilitre.
