Surface soil testing across 50 public spaces by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has found heavy metals levels at every site were below recognised national health guidelines, which means resident can safely use the areas.
The surface soil testing of parks, nature strips and community gardens followed the release of a report that examined the legacy of historical heavy metal contamination in the area.
The tests are part of a larger State-wide heavy metals testing program that compares levels of heavy metals, including lead and cadmium, against the National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure.
This conservative measure is preferred by the EPA because its primary focus is to protect against risks to human health.
EPA Executive Director Regulatory Operations Steve Beaman said the results gave residents up to date, relevant information about their suburb, addressed data gaps and helped the community make informed decisions about whether to conduct testing on their own properties.
"We encourage everyone in Port Kembla to visit the EPA's website to view the results, but they must also understand that levels of heavy metals in surface soils can vary from property to property, and the threshold level for a residence is lower than for a public space," Mr Beaman said.
"For this reason, private landholders may want to go a step further and get their own property tested. This is why we are offering Port Kembla residents free voluntary soil testing on their land in February 2022."
While Port Kembla's lead levels in public areas were found to be within the national health guidelines, Mr Beamer said it was still important for residents to understand how to reduce exposure to heavy metals.
"Simple actions like washing hands regularly and using raised garden beds with new, clean soil, can limit exposure to these chemicals," he said.
In the meantime, the EPA will continue to work with the community to ensure it knows what actions it can take to live safely with lead and to understand the results of any testing.
"If residents have any questions or concerns about these tests
