The results of a Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) commissioned by Cadia following community concerns regarding water and air quality have highlighted that there is no impact on human health, with associated risk deemed to be ‘low’.
Conducted by a New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) accredited auditor from SAGE Environmental Services, the study assessed the potential risks to human health within the community surrounding Cadia from operating emissions and environmental sample data collected from a residential drinking water sampling program.
The risk assessment was then independently reviewed and verified by a Victorian EPA-accredited auditor from Senversa.
The HHRA identified several pathways where there could be potentially elevated risks due to copper exposure from using tap water and in all instances where increased risks were found, the main factor was the tap water itself – a direct correlation with building materials.
The difference in the amount of copper between the tap and tank water could be up to 1,000 times greater than in the tank and aligns with results from the New South Wales EPA’s water sampling program.
While cadmium was also identified as a potential concern at one property, it too was attributed to building materials. The level of all other contaminants measured was low and within relevant human health standards.
Cadia General Manager, Mick Dewar, said protecting the environment and the health and safety of the community and workforce was at the forefront of how the company operates.
“We have taken significant steps to address the concerns raised by the community and continue to work hard to rebuild trust.
“We appreciate this will take time and a continued long-term commitment across all levels of our company,” Mr Dewar said.
“This has included working with a number of independent experts to understand any potential impacts of our operation on the local community and our workforce in relation to local air quality, health and drinking water.
“These studies all reaffirm that Cadia has not affected local air quality, the quality of drinking water, soil or human health.”
Mr Dewar said that frequent monitoring of Ventilation Rise (VR) 8 emissions shows that Cadia is operating in compliance with the Clean Air Regulations.
“The direct action we took to reduce total solid particles measured at Cadia’s ventilation rise is now part of our normal operations,” Mr Dewar said.
A copy of the Human Health Risk Assessment conducted by SAGE Environmental Services, along with all other environmental monitoring reports, is available here.
