Noosa Council has welcomed the results of dioxin testing in Noosa’s lakes.
“The findings, announced by the state this week, should help allay fears about pollution from historical use of chemicals for managing forestry and other vegetated catchment areas,” Council’s Environmental Services Manager, Craig Doolan, said.
The study found trace levels of tetrachlorodibenzo para dioxin (TCDD) in the sediment were typical for Queensland’s east coast.
TCDD was measured in trace amounts in sediment at only two of the seven sites sampled – Lake Weyba and Lake Cootharaba. It was not found throughout the catchment.
No TCDD or other dioxins were measured in the water, while dioxins found in biota (fish, crabs and oysters) were not of sufficient concentration to pose a risk to recreational fishers.
“In addition, a Queensland Health report published following the study notes the level of dioxin in fish from Noosa Lakes as being below the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand limit,” Mr Doolan said.
Council assisted the Department of Environment and Science with the surveys, which involved sampling sediment, water and biota at sites in the Noosa estuary.
The three known sources of dioxins in the environment include fires, historical pesticide use and within naturally occurring kaolinitic clays.