A report by the Environmental Protection Agency in January 1999 concluded that a large tailings pond at Gortmore, west of Silvermines in Co Tipperary, was "a perpetual risk to human health and the (local) environment".
Initially, it was an artificial lake of some 150 acres covering nine million tonnes of tailings or ore waste - including lead - piped into it from the nearby Mogul Ireland zinc mine.
Once this ceased operations in 1982 after 25 years, the lake dried out and dust blows became a major problem.
It was then covered to control any possible pollutants escaping from the contaminated site, but local people could see toxic discharges flowing into waterways.
The area was officially called a "tailings management facility" but few in the area would agree with such a description.
What was widely suspected was soon confirmed. Tests established three cattle had died from lead poisoning due to chronic exposure to the metal.
The report concluded that Silvermines is a safe place to grow up, live and work in, provided certain precautions are taken. There is no evidence of significant transfers of lead to humans, lead poisoning is not widespread and food produced in the area is generally safe.
However, its conclusions when combined with local anecdotal evidence suggest the Gortmore tailings management facility is not the only toxic site in the locality.
Others may be more toxic. Moreover, urgent action is needed as a former mining site has contaminated soil which forms part of a play area for Silvermines School.
This is particularly disturbing for parents with children attending the school, given they are significantly more vulnerable to lead poisoning and many are displaying elevated levels.
EPA director Ms Anne Butler said the findings have not shown any shortcomings in environmental monitoring of the Silvermines area. The report suggested problems relate to the history of mining in the area and indicate checks were adequate.
There was no evidence of local people's health having suffered, while cattle deaths attributable to lead were not on a major scale. In addition, she noted, the sources of lead were now identified.
Labour Senator Ms Kathleen O'Meara has warned much will depend on the extent of authority given to the implementation group due to oversee action on the report's recommendations. The EPA's recommendations last year were commendable, she added, but soon became "a wishlist because the Waste Management Act did not give them the authority they needed", especially in ensuring the mining company Mogul managed the site effectively.
The people of Silvermines have suffered enough, if only because of prolonged uncertainty and the continuing tarnishing of their landscape. They are entitled to prompt and full implementation of this report, backed by appropriate legislation.