ID :
209725
Tue, 09/27/2011 - 14:24
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/209725
The shortlink copeid
High mercury vapours detected near Orica
SYDNEY (AAP) - 27 Sept - Higher than permitted mercury vapour levels have been detected around a Sydney Orica plant, just weeks after residents near its Newcastle plant were exposed to hexavalent chromium.
The NSW government says the incident on Tuesday at Botany, in Sydney's south, is not expected to have a health impact on local residents.
The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) said it is investigating the incident in which mercury vapour emitted from the plant between 12am and 9am (AEST)on Tuesday breached levels specified in Orica's license.
A monitoring device detected the breach at a neighbourhood adjacent to the site, which is located at the corner of Denison Street and Beauchamp Road in Banksmeadow.
The overnight vapour levels were "well below a level that is known to cause immediate health effects," the OEH said in a statement.
"Therefore the release is not expected to have any impact on the health of local residents."
The OEH required Orica to inform residents and the OEH has notified NSW Health.
The incident is the second involving Orica in two months.
Residents in the beachside suburb of Stockton, near Newcastle, were exposed to hexavalent chromium on August 8, after it escaped from Orica's ammonium nitrate plant at nearby Kooragang Island.
A NSW Health and independent report commissioned by Orica both found the leak posed no health risk to the Stockton community.
Environment Minister Robyn Parker blasted Orica over Tuesday's incident.
"Once again Orica informed authorities hours after this latest incident happened," Ms Parker said in a statement.
"This highlights the need for legislative changes to ensure companies must report within a designated time frame, not when is practicable as is the case now."
An Orica spokeswoman said the cause of the incident was under investigation.
"We're in the process of investigating," she told AAP.
"And we'll be providing a report to the OEH."
Orica agreed with the state government that there was no immediate health risk to the local community.
Company representatives will be carrying out a doorknock in the local area to inform residents about the incident.
It will also inform residents through a community reference group, the spokeswoman said.
The NSW government says the incident on Tuesday at Botany, in Sydney's south, is not expected to have a health impact on local residents.
The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) said it is investigating the incident in which mercury vapour emitted from the plant between 12am and 9am (AEST)on Tuesday breached levels specified in Orica's license.
A monitoring device detected the breach at a neighbourhood adjacent to the site, which is located at the corner of Denison Street and Beauchamp Road in Banksmeadow.
The overnight vapour levels were "well below a level that is known to cause immediate health effects," the OEH said in a statement.
"Therefore the release is not expected to have any impact on the health of local residents."
The OEH required Orica to inform residents and the OEH has notified NSW Health.
The incident is the second involving Orica in two months.
Residents in the beachside suburb of Stockton, near Newcastle, were exposed to hexavalent chromium on August 8, after it escaped from Orica's ammonium nitrate plant at nearby Kooragang Island.
A NSW Health and independent report commissioned by Orica both found the leak posed no health risk to the Stockton community.
Environment Minister Robyn Parker blasted Orica over Tuesday's incident.
"Once again Orica informed authorities hours after this latest incident happened," Ms Parker said in a statement.
"This highlights the need for legislative changes to ensure companies must report within a designated time frame, not when is practicable as is the case now."
An Orica spokeswoman said the cause of the incident was under investigation.
"We're in the process of investigating," she told AAP.
"And we'll be providing a report to the OEH."
Orica agreed with the state government that there was no immediate health risk to the local community.
Company representatives will be carrying out a doorknock in the local area to inform residents about the incident.
It will also inform residents through a community reference group, the spokeswoman said.
