Licenced to pollute but not to poison: The ineffectiveness of regulatory authorities at protecting public health from atmospheric arsenic, lead and other contaminants resulting from mining and smelting operations

摘要: Abstract This article details and examines the impact of significant inconsistencies in pollution licencing, monitoring reporting from Australia’s leading mining smelting communities Mount Isa Queensland Port Pirie South Australia. Although emissions to environment are regulated according national air quality standards, atmospheric point source toxic arsenic, lead sulfur dioxide continue contaminate communities. Short-term contaminant across residential areas Mines operations significant: 2011, 24-h maximum suspended particulate (TSP) values for lead-in-air arsenic-in-air were 12.8 μg/m3 2973 ng/m3, respectively. The relevant objectives arsenic 0.5 μg/m3 6 ng/m3 (PM10), respectively, averaged over a year. is also blanketed by elevated concentrations, with Australian 1-h standard (0.2 ppm) being exceeded on 27 occasions 2011. At Pirie, contamination urban arguably worse TSP 22.57 μg/m3 (2011) 250 ng/m3 (2009), has an annual average but there no set arsenic. In 2012, was 50 times Pirie. Despite chronic childhood blood exposures both communities, history denial downplaying contamination. A contributory factor this pattern behaviour fragmented inconsistent delivery data as well its interpretation relation environmental health impacts exposures. study reviews available sources makes inference doing so, explains why current regulatory framework fails protect impacted