❓ Dr. Honey raises concerns about mercury contamination at East Kalgoorlie Primary School, requesting testing for exposed children and investigation into broader contamination. The Minister for Health assures that testing is being stood up and a cautious approach is being taken, with multiple agencies involved.
AnsweredQoN 50Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
EAST KALGOORLIE PRIMARY SCHOOL — MERCURY
CONTAMINATION
50. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Minister for Health:
I
refer to the closure of East Kalgoorlie Primary School due to the potential
hazardous presence of mercury at the school.
(1) Given mercury
is an insidious poison that can lead to damaged motor skills and intelligence
disorders, and put children at risk for long-term neurological damage, would
the Minister for Health make sure that all potentially exposed children are
tested, as a matter of public health, to ensure that there has been no harmful
exposure to mercury?
(2) Is any work
being carried out to determine whether other parts of Kalgoorlie are
contaminated by mercury as East Kalgoorlie is?
CONTAMINATION
50. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Minister for Health:
I
refer to the closure of East Kalgoorlie Primary School due to the potential
hazardous presence of mercury at the school.
(1) Given mercury
is an insidious poison that can lead to damaged motor skills and intelligence
disorders, and put children at risk for long-term neurological damage, would
the Minister for Health make sure that all potentially exposed children are
tested, as a matter of public health, to ensure that there has been no harmful
exposure to mercury?
(2) Is any work
being carried out to determine whether other parts of Kalgoorlie are
contaminated by mercury as East Kalgoorlie is?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
can advise that a number of state government agencies are working in response
to the contamination that was found at East Kalgoorlie Primary School, and I am
cognisant of the stress that that has created amongst the school community. My
colleague the Minister for Education was there this morning, with the Chief
Health Officer, meeting with the school community and with parents.
The Department of Health is leading
the response, and an incident management team is in place as we speak. We are
standing up testing. People can test anywhere, but a testing facility for the
community and for children is now or is imminently about to be stood up.
Although the levels detected so far are relatively low and not linked to or
associated with side effects, we are making testing available to the community
to ensure that those parents can rest assured. The Department of Health is
taking a very cautious approach to this. As
I said, the initial sampling is not usually associated with side effects, but I
absolutely acknowledge the concern of the school and the parents.
As
I said, the Chief Health Officer is onsite, working with the incident
management team, and will be leading the response. It will take a couple
of weeks to complete the testing, the school will remain closed for at least
two weeks while the testing is undertaken, and alternative arrangements are
being made by my colleague the Minister for Education.
For the health response, I can
confirm that an incident management team is stood up, the Chief Health Officer
is onsite, and testing either is or will be available. Any GP or primary
healthcare provider can also provide testing.
can advise that a number of state government agencies are working in response
to the contamination that was found at East Kalgoorlie Primary School, and I am
cognisant of the stress that that has created amongst the school community. My
colleague the Minister for Education was there this morning, with the Chief
Health Officer, meeting with the school community and with parents.
The Department of Health is leading
the response, and an incident management team is in place as we speak. We are
standing up testing. People can test anywhere, but a testing facility for the
community and for children is now or is imminently about to be stood up.
Although the levels detected so far are relatively low and not linked to or
associated with side effects, we are making testing available to the community
to ensure that those parents can rest assured. The Department of Health is
taking a very cautious approach to this. As
I said, the initial sampling is not usually associated with side effects, but I
absolutely acknowledge the concern of the school and the parents.
As
I said, the Chief Health Officer is onsite, working with the incident
management team, and will be leading the response. It will take a couple
of weeks to complete the testing, the school will remain closed for at least
two weeks while the testing is undertaken, and alternative arrangements are
being made by my colleague the Minister for Education.
For the health response, I can
confirm that an incident management team is stood up, the Chief Health Officer
is onsite, and testing either is or will be available. Any GP or primary
healthcare provider can also provide testing.
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