RCSWA Heavy Metal Tooth Fairies 944x522 (1).png

The Heavy Metal Tooth Fairy Project

Addressing a crucial gap in understanding around whether groundwater contaminants, particularly heavy metals, are accumulating in children living in remote Australia.

The Heavy Metal Tooth Fairy Project is aiming to identify childhood exposure to heavy metals in regional and remote Indigenous WA communities by using geochemical analysis of deciduous ‘baby’ teeth.

Between 2007 and 2014 we conducted the Western Desert Kidney Health Project. This project reveled no difference in the prevalence of risk factors for renal disease and diabetes between Aboriginal and nonAboriginal children living in remote areas and much less difference than expected between Aboriginal and nonAboriginal adults. The results suggested a toxic exposure might be the common factor. The natural environment in Australia is rich in minerals and this may contribute to exposure to environmental toxins. These naturally occurring minerals present in dust and can leach into ground water which, if used as drinking water, can contribute to adverse health outcomes.

Drinking water in most remote towns and communities across Australia is supplied by groundwater that is commonly naturally elevated in contaminants at concentrations above drinking water safety guidelines (for example nitrate, heavy metals). Therefore drinking water quality and dust characterisation can be a useful indicator of environmental exposures in particular areas. Our understanding of the cummulative exposure to environmental contaminants in remote Australia over the life course, and particularly in childhood, is limited

Methods

This is an observational study to bring together information from a variety of sources to describe and map the distribution of nitrates, heavy metals and other contaminants in drinking water in the Goldfields and Central Desert of Western Australia, with the North Western suburbs of Perth as comparisons.

Water Detectives

Multiple sources of information from geology, hydrogeology, public health and other sources will be examined to map the possible sources of contamination of drinking water and other toxic exposures in Western Australia.

Be a Water Scientist

Schools and community groups in the Goldfields and Central Desert will take part in a citizen science program to test local drinking water using simple kits. Students will engage in video sessions with scientists to discuss findings and receive feedback.

What’s in the Dust?

Students will collect classroom dust samples, which will be sent to the study team for analysis.

Boggabilla Central School student demonstrating how to brush teeth on a toy - credit ABC N

The Heavy Metal Tooth Fairies. From left, Dr Christine Jeffries-Stokes, Dr Annette Stokes, Dr Sarah Bourke, and Prof Yulia Shiikha at UWA Perth.

Tooth Fairies go bush

With her new University of Western Australia Honorary Doctorate under her wing, Annette Stokes AM is flying back to WA’s Goldfields with a new research goal in her sights. The senior Wongutha, Mulba-Ngadu and Anagu woman is a chief investigator for the Heavy Metal Tooth Fairy Project, an Australian-first study identifying childhood exposure to heavy metals in regional and remote communities. The project builds on Annette’s work for the Western Desert Kidney Health Project

Liena Fordham

Dr Christine Jeffries-Stokes, Wongutha-Mulba-Ngadju-Mirning Elder Pastor Geoffrey Stokes and their grandchildren Karley-Ray and Geoffrey Jilba

Dr Christine Jeffries-Stokes recognised with King's Birthday Honours

After working with WA Country Health Service for close to 30 years, it is safe to say that Paediatrician Christine Jeffries-Stokes has a deep understanding of the unique needs of children and families living in the Goldfields. Now, in recognition for her significant contributions to paediatrics and commitment to improving the health outcomes of Aboriginal peoples, Dr Jeffries-Stokes has been appointed as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division in the 2

Liena Fordham

Project news

Acknowledgement of Country

We pay our respects to the Whadjuk Nyoongar Boodja Nation - the original lands of The University of Western Australia and The Rural Clinical School of Western Australia - which has now journeyed into many lands across the state. These are the lands that connect us and that we are now spiritually and physically bonded to, with the vision to help all who walk within The Rural Clinical School of Western Australia footprint. We acknowledge the strength, wisdom and courage of Whadjuk Nyoongar Boodja Nation Elders past, present and emerging.

We pay our respects to our neighbouring Nations, Tribes and visiting Peoples who share in the richness and uniqueness of our regions and who walk with us in our healing journey.

We acknowledge to all non-First Nation peoples who genuinely join us on our journey to ‘close the gap’ and abolish the disparities that exist.