A toxic legacy on BHP site May 13, 2005 From: SIX years after BHP closed its doors in Newcastle for the last time, the former steel giant's legacy is taking its toll on the city's local environment.
Cancer-causing chemicals including metals, benzene and cyanide have leaked into the Hunter River from the groundwater underneath the old steelworks. The Department of Environment and Conservation this week issued a declaration of remediation on the former BHP site at Mayfield, closed in 1999.
A recent EPA air quality study also found the level of manganese in the air around Newcastle was higher than other sites.
Advertisement: Although the levels were within the guidelines, it is thought the manganese came from dust caused by the clean-up of soil at the site.
According to the National Pollutions Inventory, impotence is a common problem in men who are exposed to high levels of manganese dust.
"We're now reaping that somewhat toxic reward from our grandparents' generation," DEC spokesman John Dengate said.
The declaration means BHP will have to enter into a voluntary remediation agreement with DEC or be ordered to clean up the mess. BHP has since split into BHP Billiton and a separate steel arm Bluescope Steel.
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