Government releases latest blood lead level review results of citizens affected by lead in drinking water incident and announces corresponding blood test service arrangements
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According to established measures under the care plan, the Hospital Authority (HA) will continue to monitor the blood lead levels of citizens whose blood lead levels were found to be borderline raised in the first blood test. For children aged below 18, lactating women and adults, blood lead level testing will be conducted in three months' time, and repeated according to clinical assessment, until their blood lead levels return to normal. For pregnant women, they will receive follow-up blood tests until their blood lead levels return to normal.
As of today, the blood lead levels of a total of 156 citizens have been reviewed in batches. The latest test result showed that the blood lead level of one more child has returned to normal. At present, among the above citizens, eight citizens still with borderline raised blood lead levels continue to receive blood lead level monitoring from the HA.
As of today, the HA has completed 5,655 first-time blood lead level tests for affected citizens. As the blood test service demand for the more easily affected persons has been met, the Department of Health (DH) and the HA will cease to provide the dedicated blood test service starting from September 30. As for the above eight citizens with borderline raised blood lead levels, the HA will continue to monitor their blood lead levels and follow up on their health conditions according to the above-mentioned established measures under the care plan, until their blood lead levels return to normal. Members of the public may visit the website of the Centre for Health Protection at www.chp.gov.hk regarding lead and its health effects or call the DH's general enquiry line at 2961 8989/2961 8991.
Ends/Monday, September 26, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:40
Issued at HKT 17:40
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