Recent reports indicate that NSW Health continues to utilize the LeadCare II machine for testing blood lead levels in children, despite its known inaccuracies. Families, such as that of 16-month-old Ella's daughter, are taking part in voluntary testing offered in Broken Hill due to historical contamination from mining activities. Ella’s daughter was tested recently, returning a level of 3.5 micrograms per decilitre, which is below the five microgram threshold for health intervention, yet many experts, including the World Health Organization, assert there is no safe level of lead exposure.

Ella expressed concerns about the implications of even low-level lead exposure, as the NSW health department's internal documents suggest that such levels can be associated with significant developmental issues in children, including decreased IQ, attention deficits, and other behavioral problems. This is alarming for parents in the affected regions, who might question the reliability of the testing equipment when dealing with such a critical health issue.

The continued use of LeadCare II for these vital tests raises serious questions about the accountability of health agencies and the standards of care provided to vulnerable populations. It also highlights broader issues of environmental health in areas affected by industrial activities, necessitating a review of health policies regarding lead testing and intervention thresholds to better protect children from potential lifelong impacts of lead exposure.