Port Pirie toddlers record high blood lead levels, but gradual decline in other age groups

The number of Port Pirie two-year-olds with blood lead levels over the acceptable limit has increased, new figures show. But it’s not all bad news.

The number of Port Pirie two-year-olds with high blood lead levels has increased, an annual report into the figures shows.

But there was better news when the results of all children under five were measured, showing a decrease.

Around two in every three children under five – 64.5 per cent – tested in 2021 had blood lead levels above the limit of 5 micrograms per decilitre (µg/DL), a 3.7 per cent decrease compared to 2020.

But for the children tested just after their second birthday, three in every four have been poisoned above the acceptable limit.

“Blood test results indicate that 75.9 per cent of children tested at their second birthday in 2021 had blood lead levels above 5 µg/DL,’’ the Port Pirie Blood Lead Screening Report for 2021 states.

“This is a 5.8 per cent increase compared to 2020.”

A media release issued by SA Health made no mention of the worsening situation for two-year-olds – despite noting it was the most significant measure – instead highlighting positive findings,

The Port Pirie Blood Lead Screening Report for 2021 states: “Blood lead levels measured at the time of children’s second birthdays (2-year-old children) are considered to be robust indicators of lead exposure for the whole population”.

“This is also the age of children who have the highest level of participation in the blood testing program so results for this age group give the best representation of trend.”

Low level lead poisoning in children can cause behaviour problems, low IQ, poor grades at school, problems with hearing and growth delays.

The lead smelter in Port Pirie is an ongoing health concern to residents. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

SA Health’s director of scientific services, Dr David Simon, said the levels in children were worrisome.

“The number of children in Port Pirie with blood lead levels above the National Health and Medical Research Council’s lead exposure investigation level of five µg/DL remains a concern,” he said.

But Dr Simon said high-level poisoning had reduced.

“Importantly, we have seen a decrease in the number of children with high blood lead levels equal to and above 20 µg/DL and an overall shift downwards of the number of children falling into the higher categories,’’ he said.

Poisoning levels in pregnant women were also in decline, on average with a blood lead content of 1.4 ug/DL in 2021 but 1.7ug/DL in 2020.

Dr Simon said there had also been a turnaround from the spike noted more than 12 months ago.

“The results published today show the deterioration reported on in late 2020 and early 2021 may be stabilising, with early indications that improved trends may be starting to resume,” he said.

Blood lead levels in Port Pirie have been measured since 1984, when lead smelting was first found to be affecting children.