enHealth Council Applauds WA

Professor Christine Ewan, chair of the enHealth Council (the national environmental health body) praised the West Australian Government for becoming the first state to phase out leaded petrol after the introduction of new Clean Fuel Regulations.

Professor Ewan said the move was in line with what is stated in the Commonwealth Government’s new National Environmental Health Strategy (NEHS) – launched by the Federal Health Minister, Dr Michael Wooldridge in October 1999 - and would significantly cut the amount of air pollution from motor vehicles.

"The West Australian Government has shown that working in consultation with organisations which are concerned with the environment and how it affects our health, in this case the petroleum industry, the RAC and the Motor Traders Association, much can be achieved," Professor Ewan said.

Check out the new National Environmental Health Strategy at 

www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-environ-envstrat.htm

Editor's Note: Also write to the enHealth Council to ask them to set as a priority for 2000, the leaded petrol phase-out in every state and territory in Australia –  Email  (ph (02) 6289 8206).

Write to Dr Wooldridge, Federal Health Minister (Parliament House, Canberra 2600) to ask him to bring forward the lead petrol phase-out [which is planned to be completed in Australia by January 2002 - i.e. too late] so we can catch up with the developing countries that have already achieved their phase-out.