An “environmental and public health situation” involving a metal recycling plant in Launceston’s north has prompted a warning from Tasmania’s Public Health and Environmental Protection departments.
Recent dust sampling in the vicinity of Recycal Pty Ltd’s Rocherlea site has revealed lead levels that are higher than normal, but authorities say there is yet to be any evidence of harm to the community.
Wes Ford, the Director of the state’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA), says extensive investigations have uncovered non-compliance with the environmental requirements outlined in the plant’s permit.
He said environmental harm was being done through the presence of lead in close proximity to the industrial site to nearby residences, businesses, schools and other facilities.
“The EPA is concerned about the environmental impacts of the site, including the release of dust, arising from the processing of the large volume of stockpiled waste, including controlled waste,” Ford said.
“Results of dust sampling by the EPA at several locations near the recycling facility have confirmed detectable levels of heavy metals including lead, which has prompted further environmental sampling and the provision of precautionary public health advice.”
He said an independent consultant will undertake wider environmental sampling in the area this month, alongside an additional environmental investigation, which is likely to take several months, that will “inform the assessment of any potential human health risk”.
Director of Public Health Mark Veitch says the dust has prompted medical investigations into workers and nearby people.
He said blood testing will be made available for locals who may have been impacted by the dust, which could be upwards of one hundred people in the immediate area.
In February 2022 a fire tore through the business, sending plumes of smoke across Launceston and millions of litres of contaminated water onto a neighbouring property and into an irrigation dam near the Tamar River.
Further information can be found on the Department of Health’s website.
