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Rocherlea Industrial Area lead exposure event - Frequently Asked Questions
In late 2023, environmental monitoring undertaken by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Tasmania in the Rocherlea industrial area found lead in dust in the local environment. While there is no evidence of harm to the community, Public Health Services (PHS) is providing precautionary advice to businesses and the local community. This advice is how people can lower their potential exposure to lead in dust and how lead can affect your health.
This advice remains current while further detailed environmental monitoring and assessment is undertaken.
More information on lead in environmental dust
Lead is a naturally occurring metal used in industry and manufacturing. It does not break down in the environment and can stay in dust and soil for years. It may stay on surfaces until it is removed by cleaning.
Lead can be harmful when it is swallowed or breathed into the body in materials such as dust. Once lead is absorbed into the body, it circulates in the blood and can be stored in the bones.
Health effects from exposure to lead depend on:
- a person’s age
- how much lead they are exposed to and for how long
- if they have other health conditions.
Lead poisoning can cause symptoms such as muscle pain, abdominal pain and headache. Long term exposure can affect the brain and nervous system and cause a range of symptoms including behavioural problems and learning disabilities.
Young children are more sensitive to the health effects of lead than adults.
Women should not be exposed to lead during pregnancy and when breastfeeding
Exposure to lead is most common in industrial workplaces. Higher-risk workplaces must manage the health and environmental risks of lead exposure in accordance with health and safety legislation
Exposure can also happen in some home environments. This can be from lead paint, which was used in many Australian homes before 1970, and in old plumbing pipes and fittings.
Exposure can also happen through hobbies that involve lead such as making fishing sinkers or from “do it yourself” (DIY) home renovations.
Lowering your exposure to lead is important as it can build up in your body over time and harm your health.
There are some things you can do to reduce exposure to lead:
- if it is dusty outside, try to keep dust out by closing windows and doors
- if your home or workplace gets dusty, regularly clean floors, ledges, windowsills, and other flat surfaces, with a damp mop or damp rag
- wash and dry your hands before eating or preparing food
- if you smoke or vape, wash and dry your hands first
- try to keep unwashed hands away from your mouth
- make sure children cannot get at peeling paint or chewable surfaces or objects that could have lead-based paint, such as old toys or furniture or old painted house fittings.
These actions are particularly important if you are pregnant, and for young children.
A fact sheet with information about how to minimise your exposure to lead while cleaning your home is available to download from the NSW Environment Protection Authority.
Dust samples collected by the EPA in late 2023 in the Rocherlea industrial area had elevated levels of lead.
Public Health Services worked with the EPA to collect more samples and make blood lead testing available to residents and workers in early 2024.
In response to this initial monitoring, specialist consultants GHD were appointed in February 2024 to undertake further detailed environmental monitoring and a comprehensive human health risk assessment.
PHS is working with the EPA to do more testing, to work out how far the contamination has spread from the industrial area.
There will be more tests on soil and dust in the industrial area and in residential and recreational areas in Rocherlea and nearby.
PHS will keep the local and Tasmanian community informed of the testing, and what it means for them.
While the detailed investigation continues, there are some things you can do to reduce your potential exposure to lead:
- if it is dusty outside, try to keep dust out of buildings by closing windows and doors
- if your home or workplace gets dusty, regularly clean floors, ledges, windowsills, and other flat surfaces, with a damp mop or damp rag
- wash and dry your hands before eating or preparing food
- if you smoke or vape, wash and dry your hands before eating or preparing food
- try to keep unwashed hands away from your mouth
- make sure children cannot get at peeling paint or chewable surfaces or objects that could have lead-based paint, such as old toys or furniture or old painted house fittings.
These actions are particularly important if you are pregnant and for young children.
Some simple steps can help keep your home harvest safe.
- Peel root crops like potatoes and carrots.
- Wash home grown vegetables and fruit well under running water. Throw out older and dirty outer leaves of salad vegetables.
- Add mulch to your soil to keep the water in and the dust out.
PHS is working closely with the Department of Education, Children and Young People, who have undertaken thorough cleaning at the school as a precaution.
Testing to date has indicated no reason for concern.
It is safe for all school activities to continue as normal; this includes using the recreational grounds and participating in garden programs.
PHS is working with the Village on cleaning as a precaution.
Testing to date has indicated no reason for concern, with further testing ongoing.
Aldersgate Village is outside the Rocherlea industrial area.
GHD are still carrying out the detailed environmental testing. This involves collecting samples of soil, dust, air, and water. Testing is expected to finish in June 2024. After this, GHD will finalise a human health risk assessment.
Once the EPA and PHS have received the consultant’s final monitoring results and report, the findings will be shared with the community.
Blood Lead Testing for people in the Rocherlea Industrial area
Environmental testing in properties along George Town Road northwest of Lilydale Road in Rocherlea has found lead in dust on surfaces. While there is no evidence of harm to the community, Public Health Services (PHS) is making blood lead testing available to:
- people who have lived or worked in the Rocherlea industrial area north of George Town Road between the East Tamar Highway and Lilydale Road in the last 12 months
- residents of Newnham who live on Hardinge Avenue or Lilydale Road (between George Town Road and Archer Street).
The test is not urgent. If you are getting a blood test it can be done in the coming weeks.
People who live, work or visit the suburbs of Rocherlea, Newnham and Mayfield, but not the areas listed above are not currently encouraged to get tested. If you are concerned, please discuss with your usual GP.
If you are in the groups encouraged to get a blood lead test, you can arrange a blood lead test through your usual doctor, or you can register for a blood test by completing the online form.
The online form will ask if you would like to have a blood test form emailed to you, or if you would like to attend a lead testing clinic at Mowbray Medical Centre on 14 February or 21 February. Only people in the groups listed in the “Do I need to get tested?” section should fill in the online form.
If you have not lived or worked at the above locations in the last 12 months you are not currently being encouraged to get tested.
People who do not live or work in the areas in the “Do I need to get tested?” list are not currently encouraged to get tested but may seek advice from their usual GP.
Testing is available to children of all ages but babies under six months of age do not need to be tested.
You may take the blood test form that you have been emailed to any usual pathology service without a booking.
Locations for Launceston Pathology
If the blood test is for a child under 12 years old, please phone the pathology service in advance and book an appointment.
- Launceston Pathology 6334 3636
- TML Pathology 6711 2000
If you are in the groups in the Do I need to get tested? list you do not have to pay for the blood test. If you get tested through your GP there may be a fee for the appointment.
Please read the “Where do I go to get a blood test and do I need to book?” section above.
Make a booking if the blood test is for a child under 12 years old.
Bring the Medicare card of the person being tested to the blood test.
There is no special preparation for a blood lead test. You can eat and drink normally before the test.
Results will usually be available within seven working days.
If your blood test request was emailed to you by Public Health Services:
if your blood lead levels are normal, you will get a text message with your results
if your blood lead levels are elevated, we will call to talk with you
your results will also be sent to your GP.
If your test was requested by your usual GP, they will give you your results.
All test results for people aged under 18 years will be provided by a phone call. Results will also be sent to their usual GP.
If your lead levels are elevated, a clinician from Public Health Services will call you with advice and will involve your GP in your follow-up.
Residents and workers from the Rocherlea industrial area who had blood lead testing between January and May 2024 have received their individual results.
To date, all blood tests from residents and workers who do not work with lead have been normal.
For people whose jobs involve lead work, testing is managed by WorkSafe.
If you have any questions about this information, you can call the Public Health Hotline on 11800 671 738.
If you would like to discuss blood lead testing please contact your GP.
Any business seeking business or financial planning advice can contact Business Tasmania on 1800 440 026.
Specific information about workplace Health and Safety Requirements can be obtained on the WorkSafe Tasmania website.
If your situation is causing you concern, you can contact A Tasmanian Lifeline on 1800 98 44 34 or visit their website.