health effects unknown

More ammunition for Len to use.

From today's edition of the South Burnett Times Friday 13th August 2010

Headline

HEALTH EFFECTS UNKNOWN

Imagine being told the water your family and stock use could contain cancer-causing chemicals.

That was the reality for Damien O'Sullivan and residents living around Cougar Energy's underground coal gasification (UCG), pilot plant, which was shut down last month.

He doesn't know what the long-term effects on his family could be if they consumed the water containing benzene and toluene, in the months prior to being informed of the contamination.

"It is a concern knowing those chemicals were in there," Mr O'Sullivan said.

"We don't know at this stage if there's a health effect. If there is the long term effects can be davastating.

"The whole thing is a toxic slur on the region."

And as reported in the South Burnett Times in April, Tarong Power Station was named one of Queensland's worst polluters and is considered a health risk to the people living in the area.

University of Technology, Sydney, environmental expert Mariann Lloyd-Smith said she wouldn't like to live near the site.

"The closer you are to the mine the more concern there is for small children who suffer fron asthma." Dr Lloyd-Smith said.

"They put 727,000kg of hydraulic acid into the air each year."

She said inhaling carbon monoxide could cause headaches, dizziness and fatigue as well as more serious long-term effects.

But Tarong Energy spokesman Jay Merritt said the company was working to reduce their emissions to protect their employees and the community.

"Safety for our people is fundamental to us," he said.

"And we take it very seriously."

ENDS