Villagers in Silvermines in County Tipperary are tonight hearing details of an investigation that has found that several old mining areas close to them have been contaminated by high levels of lead. These levels could pose particular health risks to children. The Minister for Education, Michael Woods, has advised that children should not use a play area close to a school this summer and promised remedial works for that area would be carried out soon. The investigation also warned that locally grown fruit and vegetables may not be safe to eat unless they are thoroughly washed and peeled.
This inter-agency investigation, headed by the Dept of Agriculture, began last year following the deaths of three cattle from lead poisoning on farms adjacent to the Gurtmore tailings pond in the mining village of Silvermines. The Mid-Western Health Board began a blood-screening programme, after locals became alarmed at the implications for human health. The findings are being put to a public meeting tonight, but according to details leaked to the Irish Independent, the high lead levels are not being transferred to the human population at present.
However, there is potential for such transfer in the future; particularly to children. The report also recommends that children should be discouraged from accessing areas of high lead concentration and that an annual programme of blood sampling of pre-school and school-going children be started.
