Unsafe lead levels found in Otago children's blood

Waikouaiti and Karitane residents have been told by the Dunedin City Council not to use tap water for drinking, cooking or preparing food. Photo / Stephen Jaquiery

By RNZ

Unsafe lead levels have been detected in children's blood tests in east Otago.

This follows a contamination scare which has resulted in a do not drink notice and emergency water tankers.

Dunedin City Council says it may now be months before the notice is lifted for the residents of Waikouaiti, Karitane and Hawksbury Village.

At a Community Board Meeting last night Otago and Southland Medical Officer of Health Dr Susan Jack said many people had been tested by Public Health South to check the levels of lead in their blood.

Some had tested at "above the safe blood level", RNZ reported.

Some of those included children.

Jack said it was "expected".

"Some people have come back with levels that are higher than the cut... it's not very common when we look at the whole population that was tested," she said.

RNZ reported that Jack would not be drawn on the total number of people who had returned high level results.

But she said "further investigation" was needed - particularly where children were concerned.

Children initially had a finger or heel prick test that was for screening.

"Then we need to confirm that," Jack explained.

All people with "concerning blood lead levels" were being contacted.

Jack said all possible risk factors and exposures they may have had would be considered.

"And then, especially for the children, we're offering a visit out to their home to look at whether there are any other environmental risks - so, is there lead paint, is there renovation, are they involved in hobbies, do their parents work in a place where there might be exposure to lead."

- RNZ