Lead levels in Nanisivik safe: health department

Government of Nunavut health officials flew to Arctic Bay last week to appease residents’ fears about lead levels left over from Nanisivik mine.

Dr. Geraldine Osborne, the GN’s medical health officer, spoke to 50 residents on Aug 28 and 29.

A one-page handout says blood testing done this year reveals that lead levels in the community are safe.

“The department of health and social services does not know of any reports by the nurses at either Nanisivik or Arctic Bay of patients with symptoms of lead toxicity,” the document reads.

A recent study commissioned by the department of sustainable development identified high lead, zinc and cadmium levels at the Nanisivik town site.