Queensland Mining Operations at Mount Isa Caused Lead Contamination in Children

The lead contamination in Mount Isa was apparently caused by mining operations according to the results of a scientific study. Mining operations near the edge of the Queensland town runs day and night.

Five years ago, the government in Queensland discovered that 11 per cent of children living in Mount Isa have increased levels of lead in their blood. Mining giant Xstrata earlier claimed the lead contamination was due to the natural mineral deposits. The new study proves otherwise.

Professor Mark Taylor published a study in the Environmental Pollution journal detailing the various tests he conducted using dust, soil and air surrounding the area. Taylor has chemical evidence to prove that the mining operations were to blame for the lead contamination.

Last year, Xstrata had lost the right to get exemptions for emission controls over mines in Queensland. Professor Taylor expressed his concern about the setting of standards when it comes to air quality. Xstrata may have met the lead-in-air guidelines but when measuring its yearly average, short-term emissions were left out of the calculation.

Taylor said it was the short-term emissions that spread lead throughout the town and reached residential communities, eventually the children.

Lawyers representing the residents funded the scientific study to gather more evidence. The community has already raised concerns regarding the effects of mining to health.

Families of three children found to have elevated lead levels have filed cases in the Supreme Court. They are suing Xstrata Mount Isa Mines for damages including the Mount Isa City Council and the government of Queensland.

Xstrata is currently seeing for a separate scientific review even though Professor Taylor's study has already been peer-reviewed.

The company acknowledged the fact that it operates in an area containing natural and industrial minerals. Xstrata also declared in its statement the company was conducting its own critical research. The company will be releasing the results relating to air quality and risk assessment sometime this year.

Independent research group Lead Pathways was commissioned by the company since 2006. Xstrata says it is the most comprehensive study Australia.