Lead resurfaces at Captains Flat preschool, more than eight times safe level
Tests found lead at Captains Flat preschool's outdoor area. The levels were more than eight times the national safety standard.
Tests done between 26 and 29 October found high lead at Captains Flat preschool. The problem was in a small area near playground equipment.
The garden area had 2,526 parts per million (ppm) of lead. Samples near play equipment ranged from 202 to 676 ppm.
All were well above the 300 ppm trigger for more tests. Captains Flat preschool faced this before.
In 2021, the facility moved after lead levels were found up to three times the safe standard. The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) shut the outdoor area as a safety step.
Contractors will replace the soil and mulch. This discovery comes as a $1 million community remediation fund opened.
It helps eligible residents.
- 2,526 ppm
- Lead in garden area
- 300 ppm
- National safety trigger
- 26-29 October
- Testing dates
- 1962
- Mine closure year
Why it mattersRepeated discoveries raise concerns about adequacy of testing and site management.
AustraliaNSW parents in Captains Flat face ongoing lead contamination worries; the $1 million remediation fund opens to residents on 28 February 2027.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
