Tests show ‘little risk’ from lead found at schools

Further testing of lead found at five Dunedin primary schools has found there is "little risk" to pupils.

Assessments carried out by Public Health South at Bathgate Park School, George Street Normal School, Mornington School, North East Valley Normal School and Opoho School, after lead was found in samples taken at each of the schools, have been concluded.

A Southern District Health Board spokeswoman said visual inspections of the schools conducted last week by Health Protection Officers and geologists from GNS Science (GNS) found the nature of activity taking place in areas where the samples were taken was more consistent with recreational use, and the lead posed little risk.

"No additional testing is recommended for any of the five schools on health grounds."

Where higher levels of lead are found in soil, the advice is to maintain good ground cover such as grass, and to wash hands before eating food.

The Public Health team’s assessment found the school play areas had adequate ground cover, and any small areas of bare soil were not likely to be used in ways that would result in children ingesting the soil.

"As a result, the risk was low.

"The schools with community gardens were found to be using soil which had been brought in and there is no risk to health," the spokeswoman said.

Mornington School principal Brent Caldwell said the announcement confirmed what the ministry had  indicated earlier.

"I thought they were really clear about what they thought the potential risk was.

"That’s why there was no alarm here about it.

"It was great to know that the people who know what they’re doing were in control of the situation."

Despite the findings, Public Health South has recommended the affected schools encourage pupils to wash their hands after play and before eating.

It also said to avoid bare patches forming on grassy areas, maintain at least 25mm of turf, and cover areas where bark chips are covering bare soil with at least 50mm of bark chips.

If schools planned to install garden beds, it was best to source clean soil from off-site rather than relocating soil from school grounds.

Schools also needed to follow ministry guidelines for the management of lead-based paint when doing renovations of older school buildings.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz

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