February 10, 2001
The Department of Health (DH) Hotline (2961 8883) had received 27 telephone calls during the 24-hour period ending at 3 pm today (February 10), bringing the total number of telephone calls received to 438.
Of the 27 callers, 5 had been referred to DH's Regional Offices for assessment and blood tests. The total number of persons who had been referred to DH's Regional Offices was 92.
As at 3 pm today (February 10), three women and three children were still in hospital for treatment of lead intoxication.
The DH Hotline is manned by health care professionals from 9 am to 9 pm daily and telephone recording is available during the remaining 12 hours of a day.
The Hotline was set up on February 5 as part of the investigation by DH into a report of lead intoxication associated with a "homemade" herbal pill "Bao Ning Dan" purportedly prescribed by a Chinese medicine practitioner in Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long.