Public health warning: Lead poison scare for Woombye State School

Queensland Health is offering a Sunshine Coast school’s students free lead poison testing and a tuckshop has moved after a child was found with “elevated” blood lead levels.

A Sunshine Coast school has told parents free lead poisoning tests are available for their children after a student was found with “elevated” blood lead levels.

The Woombye State School tuckshop has also moved following the revelation there was lead-based paint in a building that is now closed.

The school wrote to parents telling them a student had tested positive to “elevated blood lead levels” on September 30, 2022.

Mother Sarah Muir has two children, aged seven and nine, at the school.

She said there was no threat or danger towards her children.

Woombye State School mother Sarah Muir says her children are not in danger following a lead poisoning scare at the school.

“I know the particular building, the school is doing the best they can,” Miss Muir said.

“Everyone’s getting on to doing the right thing.”

An Education Department spokesman confirmed access to the school’s D-block was restricted on September 16, 2022 after the school received advice from the Sunshine Coast Public Health Unit about the suspected presence of lead-based paint in that building.

“Samples were sent for testing,” the spokesman said.

“The presence of lead in the paint was confirmed last week, and a letter was sent to the school community to provide an update ahead of students and staff returning for term four.”

He said the tuckshop was in that block and the school had moved it to the hall for the rest of the school year.

The Woombye State School. Picture Google Maps

“The school tuckshop is used three days per week,” the spokesman said.

“Other rooms are used intermittently by groups of students throughout the week with six staff accessing the area on a daily basis.”

A Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service Public Health Unit spokeswoman said the unit continued to assist Education Queensland in relation to flaking lead paint in the building.

The education department spokesman said public health professionals were onsite when school returned on October 4, 2022, to answer parents’ questions.

“Queensland Health has advised any parents or carers with questions or concerns to see their GP and have confirmed blood testing is available at no cost to families,” he said.

Fellow school mum Melissa Whitney said she received good information from the meeting.

“That was really great for parents, it really answered a lot of questions,” she said.

The spokesman said the education department also set up a dedicated point of contact for school community members.

“A hotline is also being established,” he said.

“The school’s guidance and counselling services are also available.”

The spokesman said regular updates were being provided to the school community.

The public health unit spokeswoman said testing was also available through the Sunshine Coast Public Health Unit on 1300 017 190.

According to the education department’s website, there are 462 children enrolled at the school in 2022.

According to the school’s website, it was opened in 1885.