Port Pirie 2025 Blood Lead Levels Report: Mixed Results for Children
20 Feb 2026
Key Findings
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Children under five:
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59.2% had blood lead levels above 5 micrograms per decilitre (µg/dL), a 9.2 percentage point drop from 2024 – the best result since 2018.
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20.3% had blood lead levels at or above 10 µg/dL, down 9.5 points from the previous year – the lowest in a decade.
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The number of children with levels at or above 20 µg/dL dropped from 18 in 2024 to 10 in 2025.
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Pregnant women:
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Average blood lead levels fell slightly to 1.3 µg/dL, a 0.3 µg/dL improvement.
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Two-year-old children:
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79.8% had blood lead levels above 5 µg/dL, up 14.8 points from 2024 – the highest in the past 10 years.
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29.4% had levels at or above 10 µg/dL, up from 26.2% the previous year.
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Average levels for this group increased to 7.2 µg/dL.
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The higher lead levels in two-year-olds are linked to periods of elevated lead-in-air in parts of the city, combined with record low rainfall and dusty conditions, which can increase lead exposure. Lead in the body can remain high even if current environmental levels have improved.
Ongoing Measures
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The Nyrstar smelter reports lead-in-air levels to the Environment Protection Authority and follows an Environment Improvement Programme aimed at reducing emissions.
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Families in Port Pirie are actively reducing exposure, supported by community programs and health initiatives.
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Voluntary blood lead screening, lead-exposure interventions, and tailored family support are provided by SA Health and the Yorke and Northern Local Health Network Environmental Health Centre.
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These activities work alongside the Targeted Lead Abatement Program (TLAP), the Port Pirie Regional Council, and other government stakeholders to provide environmental improvements and community education.
Expert Comment
Dr Chris Lease, Executive Director of Health Protection and Regulation at SA Health, said:
“The report shows encouraging improvements in blood lead levels for children under five and for pregnant women, but the rise in two-year-old children shows some parts of the community remain at higher risk. Continued efforts are essential to reduce lead contamination, manage legacy lead, and prevent dust exposure.”
The report highlights that low rainfall and dry conditions make ongoing management even more important. Sustained reductions in environmental lead levels, along with family and community efforts, are key to lowering children’s blood lead levels over time.
https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/
Source: SA Health
