Director of Mines, Kim Creak needs to correct misleading information in the Mineral Resources Tasmania’s (MRT) Annual Review for 2009-2010.
Toxic Heavy Metals Taskforce Tasmania spokesperson Kay Seltitzas said: “The Review contains misleading and dangerous information in relation to public health risks for residents of Rosebery exposed to emmissions of multiple metals in the.environment.”
In the MRT Review of Mineral Sector Operations on Minerals and Metals Group (MMG) Rosebery mine under the heading ‘Community Relations’ the report states:
‘The Deputy Director of Health confirmed that there is no risk to human health from heavy metals in Rosebery.’
This statement flies in the face of even the Department of Health’s own health advise provided to poisoned residents and also leaflets letter boxed to the general community. In addition, on the advice of the Toxic Heavy Metals Taskforce Tasmania, the DHHS has implemented a new notifiable blood lead level for children of 0.05ug/L.
While the Department of Health failed to provide comprehensive advice on reducing exposure to all metals in the Rosebery environment, and while not wanting to cause any further ‘panic’ in the community, the DHHS did distribute advice on reducing exposure to lead (only) in the home and the garden ie. Wash your walls regularly, take your shoes off inside the house, use HEPA filter vacuum cleaners, children should drink lots of milk, don’t drink rain water, wash your dog and children’s toys regularly, cover all bare soil in the yard etc.
Director of Health Dr Roscoe Taylor and Deputy Director Dr Chrissie Pickin never claimed there was ‘no’ health risk for residents in Rosebery from heavy metals.
Our Taskforce want the Director of Mines Kim Creak to immediately amend the report so that it no longer gives incorrect information.” said Ms Seltitzas.
