NSW Health has been accused of resisting efforts to strengthen protections for children exposed to lead in Broken Hill, despite internal documents acknowledging that lower blood lead levels can harm developing brains.
In 2023, the Department of Premier and Cabinet urged NSW Health to consider lowering the blood lead investigation threshold from 5 micrograms per decilitre (μg/dL) to 3.5 μg/dL, which would align with international standards and capture more children in need of support. However, NSW Health pushed back against the advice, citing concerns about recommending a change in one area in isolation and potential "unintended privacy consequences".
The department's stance was at odds with its own officials' acknowledgement that there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. A draft briefing note from 2023 warned that even 3.5 μg/dL may be associated with reduced IQ, attention span, learning disabilities, and other health issues.
NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann has described the situation as a "national disgrace", highlighting the lack of funding to address the issue and the potential for further harm to children's brains and development. According to data from NSW Health, 67% of children in Broken Hill and over 90% of Aboriginal children would have blood lead levels exceeding 3.5 μg/dL.
The government has since maintained that it remains committed to providing free blood lead level screening to all children under five years old, but the delay in implementing lower guidelines has sparked concerns about the limited capacity to respond to cases at the current threshold.
Experts and officials have raised concerns about the lack of resources and funding to address childhood lead exposure in Broken Hill. In 2019, a report completed by Professor Mark Taylor found that mining operations were the primary source of environmental lead exposure in the town, with levels above 5 μg/dL affecting nearly 50% of children under five.
The NSW EPA has previously acknowledged the need for change, but it appears that internal resistance and bureaucratic hurdles have hindered efforts to strengthen protections for vulnerable children.
In 2023, the Department of Premier and Cabinet urged NSW Health to consider lowering the blood lead investigation threshold from 5 micrograms per decilitre (μg/dL) to 3.5 μg/dL, which would align with international standards and capture more children in need of support. However, NSW Health pushed back against the advice, citing concerns about recommending a change in one area in isolation and potential "unintended privacy consequences".
The department's stance was at odds with its own officials' acknowledgement that there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. A draft briefing note from 2023 warned that even 3.5 μg/dL may be associated with reduced IQ, attention span, learning disabilities, and other health issues.
NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann has described the situation as a "national disgrace", highlighting the lack of funding to address the issue and the potential for further harm to children's brains and development. According to data from NSW Health, 67% of children in Broken Hill and over 90% of Aboriginal children would have blood lead levels exceeding 3.5 μg/dL.
The government has since maintained that it remains committed to providing free blood lead level screening to all children under five years old, but the delay in implementing lower guidelines has sparked concerns about the limited capacity to respond to cases at the current threshold.
Experts and officials have raised concerns about the lack of resources and funding to address childhood lead exposure in Broken Hill. In 2019, a report completed by Professor Mark Taylor found that mining operations were the primary source of environmental lead exposure in the town, with levels above 5 μg/dL affecting nearly 50% of children under five.
The NSW EPA has previously acknowledged the need for change, but it appears that internal resistance and bureaucratic hurdles have hindered efforts to strengthen protections for vulnerable children.
I'm really worried about the kids in Broken Hill, you know? The fact that they're not getting tested at levels below 5 μg/dL is just heartbreaking. I mean, we already know lead exposure can harm developing brains, and it's not like there's a 'safe' level or anything. It's all about protecting those little ones. 
What really gets me is that NSW Health has all these documents saying lower levels can cause issues, but they're just stuck on the current threshold. And it's not just about them, Cate Faehrmann is right, this is a national disgrace. We need to get funding and resources in there ASAP so we can help those kids. 
. I mean on one hand I get why they wanna protect kids right? But at the same time it's like they're just not getting it 
. I read that internal docs where they acknowledge that even 3.5 μg/dL can cause some serious brain damage but then they just ignore it because of "privacy concerns"? Like what even is that supposed to mean? 
. I mean come on, we're talking about lead poisoning here which is literally a proven fact that can cause irreparable damage to kids' brains and development. It's not like it's some new thing they just woke up to today 
.
. The data is there, the experts are saying it too...but still we get stuck on "privacy concerns" and "bureaucratic hurdles"? 
. We need to get our act together here!
oh noooooo 
this is super concerning! I mean, who wants their kid exposed to lead? 
it's like, we know there's no safe level, right? 3.5 μg/dL isn't safe, and even that's not good enough! 
the stats in Broken Hill are insane - 67% of kids and over 90% of Aboriginal kids are affected?!?! 
we need more funding and resources, pronto! 
we can't just sit around and wait for cases to happen - we need action now! 
this is just a national mess 
I mean, 3.5 μg/dL is still way too high if you ask me 
This whole situation is a harsh reminder that even when we know what's best for someone or something, we still find ways to hold us back 
. I mean, think about it - we've got proof that 3.5 μg/dL can still cause damage to kids' brains and development 
, yet the government is stalling on making changes because of some arbitrary fear about "privacy" 
- it should be about doing what's right for them 
. We need to stop playing politics with people's lives and start putting the needs of kids first 
The department's concerns about "unintended privacy consequences" just don't add up #LeadExposureMatters.
! Like, how can we even consider lead exposure in our kids a 'con' 
! We need more funding and resources ASAP 
. the fact that they're worried about 'unintended privacy consequences' is just laughable 
. shouldn't protecting our most vulnerable citizens be the priority?! 
and expecting no one to get hurt. what's really going on here?!