Qld Health probes Indigenous children's lead levels

Queensland Health says it is exploring some of the reasons why Indigenous children in Mount Isa, in the state's north-west, appear to have higher levels of lead in their blood than non-Indigenous children.

Legal action is being prepared against mining company Xstrata and the State Government on behalf of six-year-old Mount Isa girl Stella Hare.

Forty-five children have recorded elevated lead blood levels in the city, which represents 11 per cent of the children tested.

John Pispanen from Queensland Health says differences in general health and living standards could be behind the discrepancies.

"What we do know is if you have an empty stomach you'll absorb lead more readily than those with a full tummy," he said.

"If you've got an iron, calcium or zinc deficiency, in other words if you don't eat a nice balanced diet, you could potentially absorb lead more readily than others."