Lead levels falling for kids in Port Pirie

Blood lead levels among young children in the South Australian smelting town of Port Pirie are falling based on the latest figures.

SA Health has published its first test results since the introduction of new national guidelines for monitoring lead exposure.

It says average blood lead levels for children under five are now 4.6 micrograms per decilitre, compared to 8.3 a decade ago.

National health guidelines say a level of five micrograms or higher is cause for investigation.

As well as a fall in average levels, 78 per cent of all children are now reported to have blood lead levels below 10 micrograms per decilitre, director of public health Kevin Buckett says.

Blood lead levels have long been an issue for Port Pirie residents because of the city's Nyrstar smelting operations.

The company is currently upgrading its facilities to significantly reduce lead emissions.