THE first lead pollution in Antarctica occurred as a result of industrial emissions more than 20 years before explorers reached the South Pole, scientists have discovered.

NORWEGIAN Roald Amundsen became the first man to set foot on the pole in December 1911 - followed a month later by Britain's Captain Robert Scott - but the international team have proved that pollution from industrial activities in southern Australia arrived at the end of the 19th century.

Originally published asNSW mining 'caused Antarctic pollution'