NSW Health tells GPs not to blanket test residents living near Cadia hill goldmine

The Cadia Hill goldmine at Orange is under investigation by the NSW Environment Protection Authority. Photograph: Jacky Ghossein/AAP

Doctors working near Cadia Hill goldmine in central west New South Wales have been advised not to test patients for heavy metals unless they have symptoms of toxicity or there is a clear and known source of exposure.

In a webinar for local doctors on 14 June, NSW Health advised against conducting blanket screening of concerned community members and said there was no clear exposure pathway of toxic dust from the mine which would indicate testing was necessary.