Chch’s lead level above safety limit

Press, 9 December 1982, Page 22

Chch’s lead level above safety limit

Parliamentary reporter Lead levels in roadside dust collected from central Christchurch are five times higher than the World Health Organisation’s safety limit, says the member of Parliament for Nelson, Mr P. T. E. Woollaston. In Wellington, lead levels in roadside dust were on average more, than seven times the W.H.O. safety limit of 500 parts per million, he said. Lead levels in the dust from New Zealand streets ranked with the worst in the world. A recent study in Wellington by scientists from Victoria University found lead levels that were higher than in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, or the average United States city. “The only figures I have seen which are worse than Wellington’s are those for Hong Kong,” said Mr Woollaston. In both Christchurch and Wellington roadside dust samples containing more than 0.5 per cent of pure lead were common, he said. Mr Woollaston, who recently introduced a private

member's bill which would limit the amount of lead allowed in petrol, paint, and cosmetics, was commenting on a recommendation by the National Council of Women that its members should collect roadside dust samples for analysis. He said the move was admirable, but it was lamentable that voluntary organisations without trained personnel should have to do the work of the Health Department. The Government should start immediately a programme to 'determine lead levels in soil and dust throughout New Zealand, he said. A parallel programme to test lead levels in schoolchildren's blood should also be set up. Although the Government allowed Mr Woollaston’s bill to be introduced, it is likely to lapse at the end of this Parliamentary session. The bill was not referred to a select committee for study. Mr Woollaston said that he would certainly try to promote a similar measure next year. He was continually collecting more information about lead levels.