MOUNT Isa Mines and Queensland Health representatives maintained the high level of lead in the city was largely due to natural mineralisation, despite a damning report detailing otherwise on the mine released yesterday.
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Research published in the Environmental Pollution journal yesterday, primarily completed by Professor Mark Taylor, stated lead levels in dust from Xstrata's operations in the city formed a significant pathway to exposure to the substance.
Responses to the report were overwhelmingly negative, with most authorities saying the information was either not new or residents should have simply been aware of lead levels before moving to Mount Isa.
Queensland Chief Health Officer and Mount Isa Lead Health Management Committee chair Doctor Jeannette Young said yesterday there were a number of educational iniatives already in place aiming to combat potential illness from lead exposure.
"As a heavily mineralised area, Mount Isa also experiences naturally elevated environmental lead levels," she said. "This heavy mineralisation is what attracted mining activity to Mount Isa in the first place.
"All residents should be aware of the risks of living in such a highly mineralised area, as well as a mining and processing oriented environment... in this way, residents, or prospective residents, of Mount Isa can make an informed decision as to whether or not to live in this kind of environment."
A spokesperson for Mount Isa Mines said it was difficult to comment on the issue without having read the report, but the company was currently undertaking their own studies into mineral levels in the region.
"We are now obtaining a copy of the report and will only be able to comment once a scientific review of its claims is completed," the representative said.
"In Mount Isa, we recognise and acknowledge that we live and operate in an area of both natural and industrial mineralisation."
Mount Isa Mayor Tony McGrady said every resident in Mount Isa knew lead was an issue and something which needed extra hygienic measures to prevent illness. He also questioned the validity of the report's author, saying it was 'interesting' it had been funded in part by the same law firm pursuing cases of lead poisoning against Mount Isa Mine.
"The people of Mount Isa are used to receiving these sorts of reports, this gentleman has done a number of reports like this before, all of which have been negative," Cr McGrady said.
"I take it as an offence personally as I have raised two children in this city and they're as smart as anybody else in this state so I don't see any adverse impacts of living with lead in the city as long as people take care with hygiene."
