Press Releases
Government releases latest blood test results of public estate residents affected by lead in drinking water incidents
The Government today (July 21) released the latest blood test results of
public estate residents affected by the lead in drinking water incidents.
Among the latest batch of 302 blood samples, 262 samples show normal blood
lead levels, including those of 21 pregnant women. The blood lead levels of
40 residents are on borderline raised level. Among them, there are 27
children under six years old and 13 lactating mothers. Their blood lead
levels are in the range of 5-15 micrograms per deciliter, indicating that
there are potential health risks.
The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, said at a press
conference, "According to the care plan formulated by Hospital Authority
(HA) experts, both the Department of Health (DH) and HA will follow up on
the health condition of all the lactating women and children with borderline
raised blood lead level.
"The Government is particularly concerned about the 27 children whose blood
lead level has exceeded the normal level. We understand that parents are
very worried about the potential health risks and impacts on development
brought to their children. Therefore, apart from the follow-up on their
condition according to the care plan, DH will make special arrangements for
these children to receive development assessments at its Child Assessment
Centres."
In response to the recent test results of drinking water and public
concerns, the Government will implement the following measures:
1. To arrange blood tests for three more easily affected groups of residents
living in Wing Cheong Estate, namely children under six, lactating women and
pregnant women.
2. To expand the scope of blood testing to children who were under six years
old when moving into the concerned housing estates (Kai Ching Estate, Kwai
Luen Estate (Phase 2) and Wing Cheong Estate) on top of the existing three
more easily affected groups.
3. HA will increase the capacity of blood taking as much as possible,
including increasing the number of blood taking sessions and hospitals
providing blood taking service.
"We will also actively study on means to enhance the blood testing capacity
of laboratories, which include considering as soon as possible the purchase
of new blood testing equipment by HA. We will explore the feasibility of
sending blood samples to overseas laboratories for testing.
"While we can speed up the blood taking service as far as possible, the
blood lead level examination facilities in laboratory will not be able to
keep pace with the blood taking capacity. Therefore, we expect that it will
take more than four days to have the blood test results available, longer
than we originally expect," Dr Ko said.
Members of the public may call the DH's hotline (2125 1122) from 9am to 11pm
regarding lead and its health effect. The more easily affected groups may
also call the hotline to make appointments for blood tests.
Ends/Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Issued at HKT 22:55
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