EPA to investigate Nyrstar for ‘unacceptable’ levels of lead in Port Pirie’s air for 2020

Port Pirie smelter Nyrstar will be investigated for “unacceptable” lead pollution levels this year.

Nyrstar is set to exceed acceptable lead pollution levels at its Port Pirie smelter this year, triggering a formal investigation by environmental authorities.

Based on current readings, the company will surpass its annual average lead-in-air target of 0.4 micrograms per cubic metre at Pirie West on December 31.

Environment Protection Authority boss Tony Circelli said Nyrstar was also on track to exceed annual average pollution targets at the Ellen Street and Boat Ramp locations.

Once the readings are confirmed, the company will be formally investigated by the EPA.

“This is an extremely disappointing outcome and indicates unacceptable discharges of lead to Port Pirie in 2020,” Mr Circelli said.

He would not speculate on likely compliance outcomes after the investigation.

It comes just a week after the State Government announced fishing restrictions would remain in place in waters around Port Pirie after unacceptable levels of metal contamination were found in some species.

A map showing lead-in-air levels for Nyrstar Port Pirie smelter locations. Picture: EPA SA

Nyrstar will be required to provide a report to the EPA by January 8, 2021, detailing the cause of its targets being exceeded and providing proposed actions to reduce pollution.

The company was issued a new licence for operations in Port Pirie in July, which included stricter pollution targets that effectively required a 20 per cent reduction in emissions.

“The EPA considered the new conditions to be reasonable and practically achievable by Nyrstar, and also considered them important to drive improved environmental performance …” Mr Circelli said.

“Breaching licence conditions is a serious matter and ultimately, Nyrstar is responsible for meeting the conditions of its EPA licence.”

Port Pirie management said the target was only narrowly exceeded.

Nyrstar issued a statement on social media, saying its smelter narrowly exceeded the limit by 0.02 micrograms per cubic metre.

“Nyrstar believes that average lead-in-air results to December 31 were significantly influenced by two very hot, dry, windy days in November,” the statement said.

“In the absence of high wind on these days Nyrstar expects average lead-in-air would have been below 0.4 µg Pb/m3.”

The statement said Nyrstar was undertaking “numerous, proactive” initiatives throughout the year to improve air quality.

“These have included completion of significant capital works during maintenance stops, upgrading of its air monitoring network, initiating new road and materials handling improvements and purchasing new street sweepers to deliver an improved and expanded site cleaning program.”

SA Health figures showed during the nine months to September 2020, the average level of blood in two-year-old children averaged 6.6 micrograms per decalitre. It was up from 6.5mcg/DL in 2019.

Originally published as EPA to investigate Nyrstar for ‘unacceptable’ levels of lead in Port Pirie’s air for 2020