Following revelations of lead contamination in Esperance, the Minister outlines immediate actions taken, including halting lead exports, increased monitoring, and community support measures. Further investigation into other ports is promised.

AnsweredQoN 194Legislative Assembly
Asked
9 May 2007
Portfolio
Planning and Infrastructure

QuestionView source ↗

LEAD CONCENTRATE EXPORTS - WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PORTS
I ask a supplementary question. What new measures has the minister put in place since the Esperance revelations? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN

AnswerView source ↗

For a start, I have asked the board of the Esperance Port Authority to cease all exports of lead. That was the first measure. We have since been working across government, with the Esperance Port Authority, the Department of Health and the Department of Environment and Conservation, to put in place a raft of measures, including increased air monitoring, and extensive soil and surface sampling across the town. We have commenced the process of cleaning out the rainwater tanks. That is being funded by the Esperance Port Authority. We will be sending a toxicologist to the town to work through all the community members who have elevated lead levels. I will be happy to report back on the conditions that are place in those other ports. However, I stress that that is not a lead carbonate product; it is a lead sulfate product.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: For a start, I have asked the board of the Esperance Port Authority to cease all exports of lead. That was the first measure. We have since been working across government, with the Esperance Port Authority, the Department of Health and the Department of Environment and Conservation, to put in place a raft of measures, including increased air monitoring, and extensive soil and surface sampling across the town. We have commenced the process of cleaning out the rainwater tanks. That is being funded by the Esperance Port Authority. We will be sending a toxicologist to the town to work through all the community members who have elevated lead levels. I will be happy to report back on the conditions that are place in those other ports. However, I stress that that is not a lead carbonate product; it is a lead sulfate product.
For a start, I have asked the board of the Esperance Port Authority to cease all exports of lead. That was the first measure. We have since been working across government, with the Esperance Port Authority, the Department of Health and the Department of Environment and Conservation, to put in place a raft of measures, including increased air monitoring, and extensive soil and surface sampling across the town. We have commenced the process of cleaning out the rainwater tanks. That is being funded by the Esperance Port Authority. We will be sending a toxicologist to the town to work through all the community members who have elevated lead levels. I will be happy to report back on the conditions that are place in those other ports. However, I stress that that is not a lead carbonate product; it is a lead sulfate product.

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