News that the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has failed to monitor for lead contamination around Nyrstar in Lutana and in Rosebery over the last 15 years is deeply concerning. It highlights the need for increased environmental monitoring across the board in Tasmania.
Exposure to lead can affect significantly affect human health. It is particularly harmful to young children and women of child-bearing age. When ingested, lead is distributed to the brain, liver, kidney and bones, where it can accumulate over time, causing damage to the brain and nervous system – and even death. The Greens welcome increased monitoring so lead exposure is known.
The reliance on self-reporting by a variety of industries has led to poor outcomes for our environment and a deep distrust of authorities like the EPA. The Tasmanian salmon industry in particular has opaque monitoring and reporting methods, with Tasmanians kept in the dark about disease outbreaks and whether they’re affecting the sale of fish for human consumption.
The Liberal Government has been asleep at the wheel while the environment degrades. It’s affecting the health of the Tasmanian people, along with the ecosystems that make our island home so special.
The 2024 State of the Environment Report recommends the Liberal Government develop an environmental data management strategy to ensure the best information is readily available to inform decision-making. It recommends coordinated statewide monitoring and analysis of waterways including inland rivers, lakes, wetlands, and estuaries. Expansion of soil and air monitoring to meet Australian air quality standards is also urgently needed.
The Liberal Government must immediately implement each and every recommendation of the State of the Environment Report. It must take seriously the warnings from independent experts that rogue industries like industrial salmon farming are properly monitored and regulated, and that heavy penalties are applied for any environmental harm caused by industry.
In the meantime, Tasmanians must heed the advice of the Department of Health to limit exposure to lead in the affected areas:
• 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.
