The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has initiated additional environmental monitoring and health risk assessments for locations in and around Lutana and nearby Eastern Shore locations, and Rosebery.
Lead has been known to be present in the environments of both Lutana and Rosebery, with previous studies more than15 years ago identifying increased soil metal levels in some locations. Previous risk assessments concluded that health harms to communities in these areas were not occurring.
EPA Director Catherine Murdoch said lead contamination investigations at Rocherlea in 2024 prompted the EPA to review monitoring methods and data for lead dust emissions from Nyrstar Hobart and MMG Rosebery in Tasmania.
“The EPA undertook some initial sampling for lead in dust and reviewed existing monitoring data, commencing December 2024 and focussing on Nyrstar in Hobart and MMG in Rosebery,” said Ms Murdoch.
Lead has been detected in deposited dust in locations in Lutana adjacent to the Nyrstar zinc smelter and across the river at some locations on the Eastern Shore, and at Rosebery adjacent to the MMG mine.
The EPA has engaged independent consultants to undertake extensive environmental monitoring and human health risk assessments in these areas.
“This additional environmental investigation will be done in close collaboration with Public Health Services at the Department of Health, and WorkSafe Tasmania, and will inform re-assessment of any potential human health risk.”
WorkSafe Tasmania inspectors have visited the Nyrstar zinc smelter and the MMG mine and will continue to monitor worker health and safety requirements.
Ms Murdoch said each facility is required to control and minimise dust emissions to surrounding neighbours and the environment. The EPA continues to work with each facility on achieving ongoing reductions in offsite dust migration and both facilities are currently complying with existing dust monitoring requirements.
The Director of Public Health, Dr Mark Veitch said the Department of Health is providing precautionary advice while working with the EPA to determine if there are any changes to risks to human health in either area.
This advice is most important for people who live in places previously known to have increased metals in their soil. The advice applies to the Rosebery township and includes the residential streets in Lutana closest to the industrial area, and the river-side streets of Geilston Bay and northern Lindisfarne as described on a map on the EPA website (epa.tas.gov.au).
“The health advice to reduce the potential exposure to lead and other metals is simple and practical, like the advice previously provided to communities near these sites,” Dr Veitch said.
Public Health Services in the Department of Health believes that it is important that members of the community know how they can minimise their exposure to metals in soil or dust. It is important that we protect children from exposure to environmental metals.
The key ways to limit potential exposure to lead are to:
Wash and dry your hands before eating, drinking, or smoking.
Eat regular well-balanced meals, including breakfast. This can help lower how much lead is absorbed, especially by children.
Be lead safe in the garden – particularly if you grow fruit or vegetables or have poultry.
Test paint for lead before doing any renovations. Lead tests are available at hardware and paint stores.