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The Government today (October 22) released the latest blood test results of citizens affected by the lead in drinking water incident.
Among the latest batch of 161 samples, 160 show normal blood lead levels (153 are from kindergarten children, whereas seven are from residents of the affected public rental housing estates) and the remaining blood sample from a student of the St Jerome's Catholic Kindergarten in Tin Shui Wai has been found to be borderline raised at 8.67 micrograms per decilitre, indicating potential health risk. Details of the blood tests are in the Annex.
Taking reference from medical literature as well as local and overseas experience, the Hospital Authority (HA) and the Department of Health (DH) have derived the reference values of blood lead levels and corresponding actions to be taken in various healthcare settings.
According to established measures, the DH will arrange lead exposure assessment and preliminary developmental assessment for the student above. The HA will follow up on the student's blood lead level over time.
As regards citizens whose blood lead levels had been found to be borderline raised, the HA has, according to established measures under the care plan, continued to monitor their blood lead levels after the first blood test. For children aged below 18 and lactating women, blood lead level testing would be conducted in three months' time, and repeat according to clinical assessment, until their blood lead levels return to normal. For pregnant women, blood lead level testing will be conducted monthly, until their blood lead levels return to normal or they have delivered, whichever is later. As of today, the blood lead levels of a total of 29 citizens have been reviewed, of which 21 citizens (72 per cent) show normal blood lead levels. The blood lead levels of eight citizens are still on borderline raised level. Among them, there are six children, one pregnant woman and one lactating woman. Their blood lead levels in the review are in the range of 5.00 to 7.53 micrograms per decilitre. The DH will inform the citizens concerned of the test results in the review. The HA will continue to follow up on the above citizens whose blood lead levels are found to be borderline raised in the review, and will take clinical interventions as appropriate.
Members of the public may call the DH's hotline (2125 1122) regarding lead and its health effects. Appointments for blood tests for those who belong to the more easily affected groups and are living in affected public rental housing estates can also be made by calling the hotline.
As at 5pm today, the DH arranged 5,247 appointments for blood testing and the DH's hotline received 7,801 telephone enquiries.
Ends/Thursday, October 22, 2015
Issued at HKT 20:05
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