Calls to monitor threat of lead in food

Active measures need to be taken on an ongoing basis to prevent potentially dangerous levels of lead from entering the food chain in the Silvermines area of Tipperary, a new report has recommended.

An inter-agency group, comprising health and environmental experts, has called for regular monitoring of group water schemes and milk from dairy herds around Silvermines for high lead levels.

The group was established after two dairy cows died from lead poisoning on a farm near Silvermines in early 2017. Bulk tank milk from the herd from which they came was found to contain lead above the maximum safety level which resulted in restrictions being placed on milk supplies.