Public Interest Advocacy Centre Level 1, 46 - 48 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Phone: 02 9299 7833 Fax: 02 9299 7855 MEDIA RELEASE MEDIA RELEASE MEDIA RELEASE Inquiry Report vindicates criticism of Sydney Water and NSW Health The Report of the Sydney Water Inquiry has found that there should be a permanent boil water alert in relation to people with compromised immune systems including those with aids or HIV. The Report also found that the New South Wales Department of Health issued conflicting and misleading advice to people living with HIV and aids during the crisis. The Report stated that advice should be issued by NSW Health, making clear the potential risks from Cryptosporidium in water and from other sources. Cryptosporidium has potentially fatal effects for people with compromised immune systems. The report said that the advice should be that " all tap water that might be consumed by immuno-compromised persons should be brought to the boil and allowed to cool before use". The Report also calls for an education campaign specifically targeted to the immuno-compromised community and those providing health advice and services to them. Paul Canning who has been campaigning on the issue for four years, welcomed the Report's findings. The criticism we have been making of the past approach of Sydney Water and NSW Health has been totally vindicated. We have long been calling for adequate warnings. Cryptosporidium can be life threatening to people with HIV and aids. People have died in mass contamination episodes overseas. We have been trying to ensure that that does not happen in Sydney." Greg Kirk of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), which has been advising groups concerned on the issue, said "this is an important victory for the community. Clear and accurate information has not been provided in the past. Such information is essential to ensure that the very real risks that cryptosporidium poses are minimised. Paul Canning, Andy Farmer, PIAC and PLWHA (NSW) Inc all put submissions to the inquiry calling for adequate health warnings. CONTACTS Greg Kirk, PIAC Ph:- 92997833 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Paul Canning Ph:- 93323391 [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more information on the submission by Paul Canning and Andy Farmer see http://www.rainbow.net.au/~canning/water.htm The Report can be found at the NSW Premier's Department website http://www.premiers.nsw.gov.au/pubs.htm end ============== Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List As vilified, slandered and attacked by One Nation mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html
