Up to 93% of children’s lead exposure in Mount Isa comes from swallowing dust and soil — not the air they breathe. That’s the headline finding of a University of Queensland study that shocked even researchers.
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At Oriems Fit, we break down university studies in plain language so everyone can follow along. Each post is designed to inform and spark curiosity — and at the end, you’ll always find a link to the full original study so you can fact-check, dive deeper, or collect it yourself.
What the Scientists Found
The biggest surprise? It’s not the air.
Despite Mount Isa being one of the country’s largest emitters of lead and sulphur dioxide, the study found that breathing polluted air made up less than 5% of children’s lead exposure.
Instead, the danger comes from dust and soil.
When kids play outside, crawl on the floor, or put dirty hands in their mouths, they’re swallowing tiny particles. The University of Queensland team showed this single behaviour accounted for up to 93% of blood lead levels in local children, with an average of 74%.
Food and diet contributed a smaller share, but dust was by far the biggest culprit.
Shocking Numbers at a Glance
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Up to 93% of blood lead comes from swallowing dust and soil.
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Less than 5% comes from breathing polluted air.
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Average blood lead in Mount Isa kids: 3.4–3.8 µg/dL.
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About 1 in 100 children risk exceeding the national guideline of 5 µg/dL.
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In a 2008 Queensland Health survey:
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37% of toddlers (1–4 yrs) had blood lead above 6 µg/dL.
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11.3% exceeded 10 µg/dL.
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Scientists agree: there is no safe level of lead in children.
Why Dust Matters More Than Air
It feels counter-intuitive. Most of us imagine pollution is about what we breathe. But in Mount Isa, most lead particles are too heavy to float. They settle quickly — onto soil, rooftops, carpets, and children’s hands.
That’s why scientists call hand-to-mouth behaviour the main exposure pathway.
The Long Shadow of Lead
Lead is not like smoke that disappears. Once inside the body, it lingers for 10 to 30 years in bones.
Children are especially vulnerable:
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They absorb up to 50% of the lead they swallow (adults <5%).
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Even low levels can impact IQ, attention, and behaviour.
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The damage can last a lifetime.
A Town Between Two Worlds
Mount Isa is proud of its mining heritage. Glencore’s smelters and mines power jobs and the economy. But the University of Queensland study makes clear: the industry that sustains the town also creates its greatest health challenge.
The researchers didn’t suggest shutting down Mount Isa. Instead, they called for simple protective steps:
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Wash children’s hands often.
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Keep houses clean of dust.
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Encourage play on grass or covered surfaces, not bare soil.
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Monitor children’s blood lead levels.
Small actions can make a big difference.
Summary Table: Why This Study Is Legit
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Research Title | Lead Pathways Study – Air Report (Executive Summary) |
| Who Conducted It | University of Queensland (Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, Sustainable Minerals Institute) with support from Queensland Health |
| Where Published | Report released 2017; supporting findings in Environmental Pollution |
| Funding / Support | Backed by Queensland Government; oversight from UQ researchers |
| Participants / Data | 67 Mount Isa homes sampled for soil, dust, rooftop dust, and air (PM10); linked with child blood lead surveys |
| Methods Used | High-volume air samplers, soil/dust analysis, X-ray fluorescence, lead isotope tracing, bioavailability testing, EPA blood-lead modelling |
| Key Findings | - Dust ingestion = 37–93% of blood lead (avg. 74%) |
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Air inhalation = <5%
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Average blood lead: 3.4–3.8 µg/dL
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About 1% exceed 5 µg/dL guideline
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2008 survey: 37% toddlers >6 µg/dL, 11.3% >10 µg/dL |
| Why It’s Trustworthy | Independent university research, peer-reviewed, and consistent with Queensland Health testing |
| Link to Original Report | UQ Lead Pathways Study – Air Report (PDF) |
Why We Do This: Oriems Fit Research Digest
At Oriems Fit, we don’t sell fear — we share facts. The Research Digest takes complex university studies and explains them in plain English.
We do this because knowledge creates power: power for families to ask better questions, power for communities to protect themselves, and power to see science as something that belongs to everyone.
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Disclaimer
This blog is part of the Oriems Fit Research Digest. It is based on publicly available reports, including the University of Queensland’s Lead Pathways Study. It is for educational purposes only.
Figures reflect research data but do not represent exact health outcomes for every resident. This blog is not medical advice. For health concerns, blood testing, or environmental safety, always consult qualified professionals and official agencies.
