Satisfaction with the process of lead remediation in an urban Australian community.
OBJECTIVE
To assess householders' satisfaction with the process of residential lead abatement in an urban Australian population.


METHODS
The study area consisted of suburbs immediately surrounding a lead-related industry on Australia's east coast. Nineteen of 20 remediated households in the study area agreed to participate in the survey. One trained interviewer conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with one 'key' person from each remediated household. Participants were asked for their personal views as well as general household views about the rationale for, process and results of lead remediation.


RESULTS
The 19 households varied from three to seven people and contained 1-5 children (16 years or under). The opinions of residents of remediated households were polarised, with the majority being either greatly satisfied or greatly dissatisfied with the process. Level of satisfaction was clearly linked to perceived quality of the remediation works.


CONCLUSIONS
Satisfaction with household lead remediation could be improved by ensuring effective communication between all parties; providing clear, simple, but detailed information about the remediation works to be undertaken on each household; providing timely support for householders when problems arise; and ensuring that all contractors are skilled, reputable and have acceptable communication skills.
Warner-Smith
M
M
Hunter Centre for Health Advancement, Newcastle, New South Wales.
Hancock
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003625:Data Collection; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods; D012494:Sampling Studies; D014505:Urban Population
D007854:Lead