Environmental Investigation into waters around Leadhills and Wanlockhead
Public Information Leaflet Introduction
A recent Scottish Environment Protection also be assessing the possibilities of Agency (SEPA) survey into metal work to improve the levels of lead, concentrations in the Wanlockhead/ zinc and cadmium in the local water Leadhills area has drawn attention to environment. the presence of lead, cadmium and zinc (The full report of the survey is available in the Glengonnar Water and Wanlock from the SEPA website, and can be Water, and surrounding soils. found at www.sepa.org.uk/restoration) Wanlockhead and the village of The risk to health for local residents Leadhills in South Lanarkshire have and the public linked to the high long been known as the centre for metal levels found in waters and soil is lead mining in Scotland. Over the considered to be low. years, mining operations have brought the lead and other metals that occur The levels of lead, zinc and cadmium naturally in the rocks up to the surface, in Glengonnar and Wanlock Waters and spoil heaps and mining features can are very unlikely to pose any risk by be seen throughout the area. physical contact. Anyone who drinks these waters, as a one-off or on a During mining, in order to safeguard few occasions while taking part in the mineral reserves and to ensure dry occupational or recreational activities, is working conditions within the mine, a also very unlikely to be harmed by it. series of drainage levels were installed. These carried water from the mine We do not have complete information into local watercourses. Even though on the extent of metal contamination mining ceased some 80 years ago, these around Leadhills and Wanlockhead drainage levels continue to the present villages themselves. We do know that day discharging water from the (now- there is a chance of being exposed flooded) mines into the water-courses. to more lead and other metals here than in other areas of the country. As a result, investigations carried out by This might be by coming into physical SEPA showed levels of lead, cadmium contact, swallowing or breathing in and zinc in the Glengonnar and Wanlock contaminated material. However the Waters and surrounding soil is higher information that is available, and the than in other areas. results of investigations in other areas SEPA is going to carry out further with similar issues, shows that the work to investigate the Wanlock overall risk to health from living in the Water contamination levels. They will area is also likely to be low.
2 If you want to reduce your exposure measures. This leaflet gives practical to these metals even further, this can advice on those measures for local be done by following some simple, residents. good household and personal hygiene
The advice is based upon the Health Risk Assessment provided by NHS Dumfries and Galloway, NHS Lanarkshire and Health Protection Scotland. The full document can be read at www.nhsdg.org.uk/Documents/RiskAssessment.pdf
Information and advice for local residents and the public
Water The Public Water Supply Private Water Supplies The public water supply is not affected; Anyone using private drinking-water there is no connection between supplies in the area is unlikely to be at Glengonnar and Wanlock Waters and risk. any public water supplies. So there Samples of local private supplies were is no health risk at all from drinking recently tested by South Lanarkshire or using the mains tap water in the Council. These samples confirmed that area. The public water supply for there is no excess of lead or other Wanlockhead comes from the Daer contaminants in these supplies. Private water treatment works in South water supplies in Dumfries & Galloway Lanarkshire. Regular testing carried were tested between 2003 and 2006. out by Scottish Water Data confirms Data confirmed that there was no excess that there is no excess of lead or of lead or other contaminants. other contaminants in this supply. The public water supply to households and Up-to-date tests are needed to confirm commercial premises in the area is safe. the absence of contamination in the private supplies in Dumfries & Galloway. Anyone wishing to discuss testing of a private water source should contact Dumfries & Galloway Council (see contact details).
3 Soil and dust Recreational activities and The SEPA investigation did not look at outdoors the levels of heavy metals in the local Recreational activities in the area are area in detail. However, given the area’s generally of an outdoor nature, and history, levels of lead and other metals some contact with soil and water is to in the soil and dust are expected to be be expected. The risks posed by walking, higher than other places. The risk this cycling and running are expected to poses to health is likely to be very limited be very low, due to the duration of and a few simple every-day precautions exposure, and high levels of rainfall and in the home will help ensure that any risk vegetation which dampen and cover is reduced as much as possible. outdoor dust and soil.
In the home Food The advice is about sensible, good Fruit and vegetables hygiene practice, and should be adopted Samples of vegetables grown in one by anyone, not just people living in garden in Leadhills were tested in 2008, Leadhills and Wanlockhead. and some showed high levels of lead. The potential for coming into contact The lead was probably mostly in soil with heavy metals indoors is with left on the vegetables when they were material brought in from outside – either tested. from outdoor dust being blown into houses, or soil brought into the house on Washing and peeling fruit and footwear and by household pets. Simple vegetables substantially reduces the precautions include ideally preventing amount of any metals in soil that people soil and other material from getting eating them would be exposed to. inside the house on shoes/clothing or Fruit and vegetables should always be pets, and regular (damp) dusting and washed thoroughly in tap water to get vacuuming (e.g. using a machine with a rid of any soil or dirt before eating. This particulate filter) in the home. applies especially to any that are grown in Leadhills or Wanlockhead. Peeling Good kitchen and food hygiene is also before eating, if possible, is also a good important. Hands should always be idea. The Foods Standards Agency washed before eating, especially after issues further advice about preparing working or playing outdoors. Children vegetables, which can be found at: should also be discouraged from eating www.food.gov.uk/news/ soil (accidentally or deliberately) or newsarchive/2011/nov/vegcampaign. other non-food materials.
4 If you consume a lot of fruit or levels of lead, cadmium and zinc. Users vegetables grown in your (or a of this fishery can be reassured they neighbours) garden, you might want are not at any risk from eating the fish to consider having some tested for lead caught from this waterbody. or other substances, especially if there are young children, pregnant or breast Livestock and game The risk related to animals that are feeding women in the household. If farmed in the area is low, and is so, please contact your local council’s addressed by a number of measures, environmental services, who would be including advice issued to landowners happy to discuss this further with you about grazing on areas affected by (see contact details). the former mining activities, as well Eggs as routine surveillance of animal In 2008, an egg from a locally reared health. Checks are also carried out chicken was shown to contain elevated at slaughterhouses, and a national lead levels. If you (or your neighbours) programme to check the levels of lead rear chickens and you eat their eggs and other heavy metals in meat are safe. regularly, you might want to arrange for Lead is known to accumulate in the liver, testing of some, especially if there are kidneys and bones of game. We would young children and pregnant or breast- advise avoiding the consumption of feeding women in the household. offal from locally sourced game and to Fish remove any visible shot. There is no information on metals in fish If you wish to discuss a particular from the contaminated rivers. However, type of food or local produce further, because of the metal levels in these including getting samples tested, please rivers, as a precaution, consumption of contact your local council (see contact fish caught from the Glengonnar and details). They can also give you more Wanlock Waters should be avoided until information on sensible precautions to testing confirms what the situation is. minimise any risk. Fish from the Leadhills Dam have been tested and do not contain elevated
5 Other precautions
A common way for people to be in their home. If present, it is advisable exposed to lead is from lead plumbing to replace them with modern lead-free (pipes and/or solder), particularly in substitutes. older properties. A study carried out in Leadhills and Wanlockhead in 1989 Old mine workings found that contamination of household Most local people will be aware of water by old lead pipes might have disused mines and ventilation shafts in been a significant source of exposure to the area. The local landowners, together lead in the area. with SEPA and the councils, are taking every possible step to secure and signpost Scottish Water has taken steps to old mine shafts and other workings, remove any lead “communication” so that the chances of stumbling into pipes (those leading up to property something that poses any danger will boundaries) in the area. However, be low. If you feel concerned about any responsibility for the pipes within a particular sites, please contact your local property lies with the owner. Residents council’s environmental services (see of older properties should check for any details below). remaining lead plumbing or pipework
6 Where can I go for more information?
The SEPA report on the survey of local metal concentrations is available on the SEPA website, at www.sepa.org.uk/restoration
For details of who to contact at your local council or health board please go to the contact information section.
If you have any specific concerns about your or your family’s health, you can also contact your local GP.
Contact Information:
For enquires about the information and advice contained in this leaflet, you can call one of the following numbers.
For enquiries relating to the Environmental Investigation by SEPA contact them on 0800 80 70 60.
For enquiries relating to health matters contact the Public Health team at your local health board, or Environmental Services at the local council, on the numbers below: NHS Lanarkshire: 01698 858 232
NHS Dumfries & Galloway: 01387 272 724
South Lanarkshire Council: 08457 406080
Dumfries & Galloway Council: 030 33 33 3000 7