EPA INVESTIGATES IMPACTS HOMES, parks and schools within a 1.5km radius of the former chlor-alkali plant in Botany Industrial Park have been earmarked for mercury testing. Soil and air sampling is set to begin late January as part of stage two of the Mercury Review set up by the EPA to investigate the potential for health risks from historical mercury emissions. One hundred and fifty homes, parks, and schools around the Botany area could be tested for mercury. The Environment Protection Authority has commissioned independent consultants, WSP Environmental to conduct testing within a 1.5km radius of the former chlor-alkali plant in Botany Industrial Park. Soil and air sampling is to begin on public land in late January-February, with sampling to begin on private land in April, subject to landowners’ consent. The Mercury Review, established in January 2013, has been set up to investigate the potential for health risks to the community associated with mercury emissions. The first stage of the review found the risk of off-site soil contamination around Botany Industrial Park was low. It also found about half of the 957 tonnes of the toxic metal used during the life of the plant ‘‘cannot be reliably accounted for’’. Meanwhile, a potentially lethal gas leak at a chemical plant in Botany is being investigated. The EPA is investigating the extent of an ethylene oxide leak at the Huntsman Surfactants Plant in the Botany Industrial Park, on January 4. EPA chief environmental regulator Mark Gifford said, at this stage, it was believed the potential for offsite impacts was minimal. “The incident occurred at around 6pm on Sunday night when a purpose-built alarm alerted workers on site to the potential for a leak,” Mr Gifford said. “Huntsman staff investigated the leak and correctly initiated the site emergency procedures. The cause of the leak was quickly identified as a seal on one of the pumps.”
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 01:05:40 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015