Blood-lead a worry for some Mt Isa kids

Ten per cent of children tested in Mount Isa for exposure to heavy metals have shown blood lead levels above the recommended international limits, a Queensland government study has found.

But the government says it's too early to set up a full-scale investigation.

Since September last year Queensland Health has tested 170 children aged between one and four in the north-western Queensland mining city as part of their free childhood blood-lead screening program.

A spokeswoman for Queensland Health revealed that 17 of those children had blood lead levels higher than 10 micrograms per decilitre, with four showing levels above 15 micrograms.

Queensland Health's notifiable lead level is 15 micrograms, but the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends children have a blood lead level of no more than 10 micrograms.

The results of the Queensland Health study reflect those of another recent study conducted by a team of environmental scientists from Sydney's Macquarie University, which revealed lead levels in residential areas of the city are up to 33 times higher than the safe limits set by the federal government.

The study also revealed high levels of copper and zinc in the soil and surrounding waterways.

However, Queensland Health says its program results are still not sufficient to warrant a full-scale investigation.

"We need to have a sample of 400 children before the results have any statistical relevance," the spokeswoman said.

The opposition has called on the government to order that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conduct immediate and comprehensive testing of all children in the Mount Isa area.

"Everyone it seems, except the minister, knows that high levels (of lead) pose serious health risks and especially to the intellectual development of young children," opposition environment spokeswoman Rosemary Menkens said.

"It's one of the main reasons why leaded petrol was phased out years ago."

The Queensland government says the opposition is "scaremongering".

State Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said she had been personally monitoring the situation in Mt Isa and was confident the EPA and Queensland Health were doing everything they could to determine if there was a risk that needed addressing.

Ms Nelson-Carr said the EPA had only on Sunday received the complete test results which were now being reviewed to determine if further action should be taken.

"Scaremongering by the Member for Burdekin (Ms Menkens) does nothing but put unnecessary fear into the community," she said.

The EPA will also compare the data to historical soil sample results, areas previously cleaned up and geological maps of naturally high mineralisation areas.

"We need to remember that Mt Isa is highly mineralised and has natural occurrences of lead," she said.

The tests indicted there may be a small number of abnormally high lead levels that will need further investigation.

"We need to put this information into context and if there is a risk to the community action will be taken."