The toll lead takes on Mt Isa's infants

An international expert found that some children in Mount Isa are suffering from brain damage and retardation due to prolonged exposure to lead from the hardrock mine and smelters in the central Queensland town. The report investigated that approximately 5% of children are still have the blood lead levels higher than international as well as Australian safety limits. Two children have been tested and it comes to a conclusion that they are mentally retarded as lead poisoning can severely deteriorate neurocognitive development in children. The Queensland government-led Living with Lead Alliance has warned parents to keep the home free of dust, wipe down counter tops and mop floors, keep children out of the dirt and feed them a healthy diet.
However, the households responded that they had kept their house clean regularly and had balanced diet. It is inevitable to keep their kids from dirt all the times. They claimed that they are reluctant to move away from the town where they were born and they want a safe town for them and their future generation. Some families are suing the mining company for the catastrophic impacts resulted from the mining activities. In a statement, Xstrata Copper North Queensland's chief operating officer, Steve de Kruijff, said the company took the issue "very seriously".

Abandon 'hopeless' tiger populations and save the few we can, say experts

The population of tigers is too low in some countries which is partly contributed by misguided efforts by conservationists. Tiger species is facing its ‘last stand’ with the total of less than 3500 wild tigers. It is expected to fall below 1000 by year 2025 if no proper conservation efforts are done in 42 core sites. Therefore, experts are now suggesting the abandon of tiger protection in parts of Asia and focus on the conservation for few key sites with successful breeding. India is now having the largest number of core tiger sites.
Nonetheless, it is hard to get consensus of the countries to relinquish their conservation fund for the sake of healthier tiger populations elsewhere. The hassle now is the high cost of funding in core sites for more stringent enforcement of wildlife laws and more holistic training of rangers. Monetary rewards have also been offered to informers of poaching of rangers. Professor Nigel Leader-Williams claimed that monitoring of the existence of breeding populations should be made the priority so that the conservation efforts can lead to fruition.

BHP boss Marius Kloppers: It's time for carbon tax

In order to protect Australia’s long term economic growth, the largest mining company, BHP urged Gillard government to impose carbon tax and maintain the terms of pre-lection mining tax.BHP chief executive Marius Kloppers believed that carbon tax will eventually be executed by various countries. Therefore, Australia is encouraged to take the lead to sustain its international competitiveness. He even pointed out that existing emission rebate system is only the transfer of emissions in different countries. Suggestions have also been proposed. Kloppers called for individual and corporate tax concessions which are more beneficial. All these tax reform should be carried out by government as no companies are willing to pay extra tax voluntarily. Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said he welcomed Mr Kloppers's contribution to the climate change debate and he will be working with other parliamentarians, the business community and the environmental movement to build consensus and to discuss the best way to achieve a price on carbon.

Random

Now I believe the saying :"Happy time flies!"
It seems like we will never be satisfied with the holidays given. Is it what we call laziness? I partly agree.
We tend to be evasive at most times. We are willing to stay in happiness forever but we are reluctant to accept the reality of life, which is full of various responsibilities and obstacles.
It is the time to get back to my work but I have tonnes of excuses to persuade myself. I still have another tomorrow~T.T
How many tomorrow I have now? Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, And 2 more days left...
A scary fact that I don't want it to come!!

Old age doesn't start at 65 - scientists

Scientists at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, based near Vienna, said a person reaching 65 should no longer be considered old. Many populations are aging slower than the conventional measures based purely on chronological age. Higher standard of living and healthier lifestyle shape people to be fitter even though they are reaching old age,lower down the dependency ratio. Therefore, there is an overestimate on the potential burden caused by aggrandizing ageing population. The disability status and longevity have changed which allow people to retire in later time compared to the fixed chronological ages. Health provisions can also be reassessed.

Sold out bus tickets leave us stranded

The new prepay only system introduced by the State Government leads to a lot of inconveniences to the selling stores as well as the passengers. The catastrophe created is the slow stock turnover from the government, causing newsagents and stores have limited stock for the commuters. The situation is worsened when the selling service is only provided by a small size business which has limited capital to stock up sufficient tickets. Zero incentive to the sellers is the other deterrent. On the other hand, commuters complained that the ticket agents are lack of knowledge on the bus routes and wrong tickets had been sold without refund. They also faced problems when they wanted to buy a ticket. Rail, Tram and Bus Union spokesman Raul Baonza asserted that it is no doubt the new system can reduce the congestion during boarding of the public transports but it creates more complications to the commuters. He even suggested the implementation of ticket machine at every bus stop. This issue has been brought to the parliament to be further discussed.

Unhealthy monopolies: pharmacies

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) seems to lost its way in benefiting the public on the access to pharmaceuticals. Albeit 28% of the total cost of taxpayers was channeled to pharmacies, there are still Australians with no access to a pharmacist. This happens particularly in rural areas which is less profitable in the context of pharmacists as a businessman. It shows a big disparity in which people in urban areas have numerous pharmacy outlets to choose from. For remote Aboriginal people, drugs are supplied in bulk to the local health service by a pharmacy anywhere in Australia. Therefore, another Community Pharmacy Agreement in the next four years should change the pattern of the retail pharmacies so that all Australians are able to benefit from the pharmacy services, not just the profit of the pharmacy owners at the sake of the taxpayers.