While no level of lead is considered safe, a blood lead level more than five micrograms per decilitre (5 µg/dL) is used to determine “unusual exposure”.

Last year, 257 Mount Isa children recorded levels at or above five µg/dL. 

A further 42 recorded a level of 10 µg/dL or above.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young has said blood levels above 10 µg/dL could have harmful effects on organs and bodily functions.

Last year, less than half of Mount Isa children aged 0-5 years had their lead levels tested. 

But Dr Young said “this represents an encouraging increase in participation” compared with previous years. 

Dr Young said the public health unit works with families when their child’s lead level is considered “unusual”.

“More focused monitoring and interventions targeting at risk households are the key to reducing exposure to lead and are far more effective than trying to achieve a population-wide lead screening target,’’ Dr Young said. 

Lead is toxic to everyone, but unborn babies and young children are at greatest risk for health problems from lead poisoning.

It is why Dr Young suggests all children under five have their blood tested. 

Queensland Health offers free lead level testing for both adults and children.

“We encourage all Mount Isa residents to be tested regularly and to have their children tested,” Dr Young said. 

You can have your levels checked with a venous blood sample or a finger prick (POCT).

Dr Young said the health impacts of lead in Mount Isa were widely recognised.

“While these impacts cannot be entirely removed, various steps can and have been taken to mitigate and minimise them,’’ she said.

“This is particularly important in the case of young children under five years who are most vulnerable to lead health risks.

“So long as people are well informed and take the appropriate and recommended protective and mitigation measures to minimise their and their children’s exposure to lead, I believe Mount Isa remains a safe place in which to live,” Dr Young said.

The average blood level for children under five was 2.3µg/dL for venous testing and finger prick 4.3 µg/dL.

Free blood lead testing is available at Queensland Medical Laboratory. Phone 4743 4299.