The largest metal recycling facility in Tasmania has been ordered to halt part of its operations after elevated lead levels were found in dust generated by a metal shredder.
Tasmanian Environment Protection Authority director Wes Ford said Recycal's scrap metal facility in Rocherlea, Launceston, had been tested for contamination twice last year.
"Over the past few months, I've been concerned about dust leaving that site and whether that dust has got lead in it," Mr Ford said.
"We've identified that there are elevated levels of lead associated with dust in close proximity of the metal recycling facility at Rocherlea."
The scrap metal recycling facility has been given seven days by the EPA to stop using the metal shredder, as well as cover stockpiles of waste kept on site.
'Potential public health risk issue', EPA says
Mr Ford said the extent of the contamination was yet to be determined.
"This is an instance where we have an environmental harm issue that is now … a potential public health risk issue," Mr Ford said.
He said employees at the site had already had blood tests taken.
"No one has reported a level higher than the threshold level for a worker, but there are levels still in the bloods that require follow up activity," he said.
"This is a precautionary approach that we're taking more broadly with the community."
Tasmania's director of Public Health, Dr Mark Veitch, said that lead in dust considerably lessened a few hundred metres from the site.
"I should say at the outset, that the concentration of lead in dust is clearly highest, very close to the recycle facility," Dr Veitch said.
"That's important, because it demonstrates that there's unlikely to be significant public health risk once you get a reasonable distance from the site."
The nearest residential houses are located several hundred metres away.
Dr Veitch said soil testing conducted last week at Brooks High School, which is located directly across the road from the recycling facility, had been "encouraging" after no evidence of high lead concentrations were found.
"The school has undertaken extensive cleaning to remove any dust in the school as part of the making sure it's safe to return for the school year," he said.
A nearby bakery has been identified as "a businesses of concern", but Dr Veitch said the risk that lead levels were high enough to cause health issues was small.
Shredder operated for several years
Mr Ford said the shredder that has caused the contaminated dust has periodically operated since 2019.
In February 2022, a fire broke out at the facility after shredded combustible material, known as flock, inside a warehouse caught alight.
Residents at the time were advised to avoid the smoke caused by the blaze.
"The shredder was clearly operating prior to the fire, because the material that was stored in the shed was the flock material," Mr Ford said.
"Since the fire, it's sort of had a start-stop process – it has been operating somewhat continuously now for maybe nearly eight months in the current position."
Investigation opened into extent of contamination
The EPA, Department of Health, and WorkSafe Tasmania, in conjunction with an environmental contractor, will now conduct an environmental investigation to determine how extensive the lead contamination is.
Environment officers from Public Health will visit businesses near the industrial estate today and tomorrow to provide information about the contamination.
Dr Veitch said nearby residents will also be able to get a free blood test and will be provided written information regarding health advice and how to keep contaminated dust out of their homes.
"There'll be information provided to everybody in that neighbourhood where, for the time being, we think the risk — if there is any risk — is confined," he said.
"We obviously look forward to being able to provide reassurance to the communities about the extent of the contamination and whether there's any health risks," he said.
LoadingLoading...