NSW Health continues to use machine known to produce inaccurate results to test child blood lead levels

NSW Health is continuing to use the LeadCare II machine to test children's blood lead levels, despite global recalls due to the potential for inaccurately low readings. The LeadCare II offers point-of-care testing, but its reliability is under scrutiny. A recent test of a 16-month-old child in NSW using the machine returned a blood lead level of 3.5 μg/dL, below the Australian investigation threshold of 5 μg/dL. The continued use of the machine raises concerns about the accuracy of blood lead level testing in children and potential delays in necessary health responses. The article highlights the discrepancy between the convenience of point-of-care testing and the risk of unreliable results.