Queensland’s Chief Health Officer says Mount Isa would not be affected by findings in new research into links between high lead levels in children and violence later in life.
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Environmental Health Journal has published research by Professor Mark Taylor of Macquarie University which took air samples from six NSW suburbs and looked at criminal statistics in those areas over 30 years.
Professor Taylor said this was the first Australian study to test the hypothesis lead exposure was associated with subsequent aggressive criminal behaviour.
His results found lead in the air accounted for about 30% increase in assault rates 21 years later.
However Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said this did not apply at low levels.
Dr Young said the National Health and Medical Research Council has identified that at blood lead levels below 10 micrograms per decilitre (µg/dL), there was insufficient evidence about links between lead exposure and behavioural issues.
“Many other contributing factors would influence criminal behaviour, such as socioeconomic status, education, parenting style and diet,” Dr Young said.
Many other contributing factors would influence criminal behaviour, such as socioeconomic status, education, parenting style and diet
- Dr Jeannette Young
“Conclusions cannot be drawn from studies reporting statistical associations between exposure to chemicals and broad social outcomes without a credible critical mass of scientific studies to support the claim and rule out other explanations.”
Dr Young admitted blood levels at higher levels than 10 µg/dL could have harmful effects on many organs and bodily functions.
“At blood lead levels between 10 µg/dL and 60 µg/dL, effects such as increased blood pressure, abnormally low haemoglobin, abnormal kidney function, long-term kidney damage and abnormal brain functions have been observed,” she said.
