Health experts are sceptical of the Queensland Government's move to distribute a recipe book intended to help limit lead intake in the diet to every household in Mount Isa.

Three years ago a Queensland Health study showed 11 per cent of children in the city had blood lead levels above World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations.

The WHO says lead levels that high can cause children to develop learning disabilities, behavioural problems and mental retardation.

Whether lead found in the community is naturally occurring or coming from the 270-metre-high lead smelter that towers over the city is still in dispute.

Swiss mining giant Xstrata, which owns Mount Isa Mines (MIM), is involved in legal action with seven families who allege their children's high blood lead levels are due to emissions.

Xstrata maintains emissions have never exceeded regulatory limits since the company acquired MIM in 2003.

Whatever the cause, advertisements are broadcast on local television screens advising locals on how to limit their exposure to the dangerous mineral.

Now the State Government-backed Living With Lead Alliance (LLA) is changing its focus from cleaning to eating.

It has launched a recipe book filled with meals ranging from porridge, fruit salad and yoghurt smoothies to stir fries, stuffed capsicums and chicken burgers.

The LLA says every recipe contains minerals such as iron, zinc and calcium, which should help to reduce lead absorption in young children.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Listen Duration: 4 minutes 43 seconds 4 m 43 s Low lead cookbook not a recipe for success ( David Lewis ) Download 2.2 MB

'Good theory'

But one health expert is questioning the science behind the recipe book.

Peter Sly, the deputy director of the Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute, says he is sceptical about whether blood lead levels can be lowered simply by changes in diet.

"I think we have to recognise that this is based on good theory. There is some research data to show that diets high in calcium decrease lead absorption, but there's not a lot of really good research data there to back it up," he said.

"I don't think anyone's actually got the real information to show how much lead you can prevent being absorbed.

"And I don't know that anyone's really got the information to show how much benefit you can get from having the foods, the healthy foods, such as this pamphlet is suggesting."

Absorption

A study in 2008 showed 11 per cent of children in Mount Isa had blood lead levels above World Health Organisation recommendations. ( Carrie Berdon, file photo: AAP )

Professor Sly says he would like to see a comprehensive study undertaken once the recipe book is distributed to residents.

"I think it would be really nice if it could be backed up with some research as well to show that blood lead levels actually fall when kids and others go on to these sorts of diets," he said.

But Betty Kiernan, the state Member for Mount Isa, says it is a practical way to reduce lead absorption.

"A full stomach and a diet rich in vitamins and minerals can help protect children against higher blood lead levels," she said.

"The recipe booklet was developed by the LLA to raise awareness of the importance of nutrition in reducing lead into the body.

"It contains a whole variety of information across the five main minerals and vitamins that, as we know, can aid the reduction of lead absorption into the body, particularly with children."

The LLA says there is evidence to suggest its public health campaigns are working.

Figures from Queensland Health released earlier this year show there has been a fall in elevated blood lead levels in Mount Isa children from 11 per cent to 4.8 per cent.

Xstrata says it has always been a major supporter of the LLA and its public awareness campaigns, including its latest initiative.