A NSW Health investigation into the potential health risks of dust exposure from the Cadia gold mine in Central West NSW has found low community exposure to heavy metals, and no definitive evidence of health impacts from heavy metal exposure among volunteers who were assessed.
NSW Health commissioned an independent investigation and convened the Cadia Mine Expert Health Advisory Panel following community concern about potential dust exposure from the Cadia gold mine. The Panel consisted of expertise in toxicology, environmental and public health.
The Cadia Mine Expert Health Advisory Panel reviewed results from this investigation and reported they found no evidence of significant environmental contamination at volunteers' properties. The heavy metal levels were below health-based guidelines and there was no evidence of health impacts from heavy metal exposure in the volunteers.
The Cadia Mine Expert Health Advisory Panel also concluded that there was no indication that broader community testing is required at this time.
NSW Health thanks the 14 volunteers from seven properties, who came forward through the Cadia Community Sustainability Network, for participating in this important investigation.
The 18-month investigation saw indoor dust, water, soil samples and home-grown produce collected from volunteers' potentially impacted properties to be examined for possible exposures.
An expert clinical toxicologist assessed each volunteer to determine if they were impacted by heavy metals, and all household environmental and clinical assessments were reviewed by the Cadia Mine Expert Health Advisory Panel.
NSW Health can advise that every volunteer has been informed about the assessment outcomes, and the panel's findings are being shared directly with the community, local General Practitioners, stakeholder groups, and local councils.
NSW Health will continue to provide advice and support to local GPs in the region surrounding Cadia.
NSW Health will continue to work closely with the NSW Environment Protection Authority, which is leading regulatory oversight of dust emissions at the Cadia mine.
Further information, including the panel's statement and a summary report are available.
