Blood tests for residents of the housing estates affected by lead in the water supply will be extended to children who were below six years old at the time they moved to the estates.
Secretary for Food & Health Dr Ko Wing-man made the statement in response to the blood test results for residents of Kai Ching and Kwai Luen Estates announced today.
"Apart from the original scope of targets for blood examination covering children below the age of six, as well as pregnant ladies and lactating mothers, we have also decided to extend the scope to cover those children who at the time of admission to those three affected estates were below six years of age."
He said 87% of the 302 blood samples were found to be normal. Forty slightly exceeded the international standard, and they were taken from 27 children under six years old and 13 lactating mothers.
The Hospital Authority and the Department of Health will conduct further medical assessments. The affected children will be sent for developmental checks.
Dr Ko said that the authority is examining different means to expand the capacity of blood testing for residents in affected estates.
Hospitals will accept 600 affected residents for blood tests this weekend, double the amount of last week.
The authority is also considering to buy new blood test instruments and to send blood samples to laboratories abroad for examination.
Secretary for Transport & Housing Prof Anthony Cheung said the Government is studying the feasibility of using water treatment equipment as a temporary remedial solution.
