Playground closure follows thallium detection
A playground in the Western Australian city of Geraldton has been closed after low levels of the metal thallium were detected in a sand pit, following environmental testing prompted by increased dust complaints.
The discovery was made at Fraser Gregory Park Playground in the suburb of Beachlands, during a soil and surface dust sampling program run by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER). The department alerted the City of Greater Geraldton to an “isolated low-level detection result for thallium” in the soft fall, after which the council decided to cordon off the area.
Thallium, a metal more toxic than mercury or lead, was only found in the single sample taken at the playground, and not at the adjacent oval or nearby playgrounds.
Investigation details
Initial results of the DWER investigation into dust emissions in Geraldton, a port city about 400 kilometres north of Perth, unearthed the detection. The department has been looking into dust emissions following local reports of increased dust blanketing homes and businesses, raising health and property concerns. In July, DWER took 40 soil samples from houses, schools and healthcare facilities across Beachlands, which sits next to the rail and road corridor into the Geraldton Port.
The City of Greater Geraldton decided to close the playground as a precaution until the soft fall is removed and replaced.
“While it is a low-level amount, the City is exercising caution by closing the playground until the soft fall has been removed and replaced,” the council said in a statement. “Members of the community are requested to exercise caution and obey all warning signs and directions from authorised City personnel and contractors.”
Source of thallium unknown
The exact source of the thallium has not yet been determined. DWER said thallium can be released from some industrial processes, including metals and cement manufacture, but added there is “currently no information to suggest an ongoing source affecting the playground.”
The department said it has “received and assessed a substantial body of information” but that “further technical assessment is required before conclusions can be reached regarding sources of dust emissions or potential regulatory action.”
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Jerry Clune said the decision to close the playground demonstrated how seriously the local government was taking the issue, but added that further information was needed to determine the threat level.
“The city acted very swiftly to cordon that playground off until we find further results,” he said. “With thallium, I don't know if there is any standard that is acceptable in Australia; we will be seeking some more clarification on that. It may be something that occurs naturally, and it may be there all the time, and we only know because DWER undertook testing. In the meantime, we are being as cautious as we can until we get some more results. We cannot take the risk at this stage.”
DWER said it would undertake further testing of the impacted playground site. Lead levels found in the soil and dust samples were below the safe limit for humans. Separately, the Mid West Port Authority announced the completion of $10 million worth of infrastructure upgrades, including a dust extraction system.