Two years after commercial fishing was banned in the Harbour, the families who worked the waterway for their livelihoods say they have been abandoned by the State Government.

Parents, backed in at least one case by a paediatric specialist, say their children are suffering from gum disease, rotten teeth and retarded development.

They are also reporting allergies and skin problems while the son of a long-time commercial fisherman has mysterious red rashes on his head and neck.

Families who claim their pleas for help have gone unheeded are demanding more blood tests and compensation to cover thousands of dollars in medical bills.

In a threatened multi-million dollar class action for damages, they accuse the Government of failing to warn them of the health risks of eating poisoned Harbour fish - a legacy of pollution from heavy industry.

Shocked Harbour fishermen and their families were left feeling devastated and betrayed after receiving blood test results in July, 2006 showing they had dioxin levels many times the Australian average.

Fisherman Spiros Kandiliotis, 59, recorded 119 picograms of dioxins - almost 12 times the Australian adult average of 10. But his son and young grandchildren were also poisoned by dioxins - which can cause cancer and birth defects - by the seafood he used to bring home.

Mr Kandiliotis's daughter Nektaria said yesterday she was pregnant at the time.

"I want my baby (James, now 18 months) tested and they won't do it," she told The Daily Telegraph. "I'm furious . . . I feel like we have been fobbed off."

The seven-year-old daughter of Dora and Charlie Ianni, found to have high dioxin levels, has required major treatment for teeth and gum problems.

Paediatric dentist Eduardo Alcaino said Antoinette Ianni presented with enamel hypoplasia - undeveloped teeth.

"We cannot rule out dioxins as an important causative agent for the enamel hypoplasia afflicting Antoinette's dentition," Dr Alcaino said.

Mrs Ianni, whose husband Charlie worked the Harbour for years, has demanded NSW Health pay the $3700 bill for Antoinette's dental work and provide more blood tests.

But she said they had received no response from NSW Health to her requests sent by letter on April 11 this year.

Andy Aloe, whose father fished the Harbour, said he had suffered from a "bad skin condition" for a year.

A spokesman for NSW Health said there was no valid scientific or medical reason to continue monitoring the fishing families.

"NSW Health has never undertaken to compensate for any medical costs for anyone exposed to dioxins," he said.

Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said the ban on commercial fishing in the Harbour would remain.

May 08, 2008 12:00am