where are you bunya?, page-3

Royayres

I commend you & others for your efforts in formulating information for the benefit of HC readers & shareholders of Cougar.

I would love to share my letter to our local member Dorothy Pratt with you but legally I don't know where I stand. It consisted of about 10 printed pages & was chock full of facts backed up with references to various websites. That letter was forwarded to her about 6 weeks ago & apart from the acknowledgement note from her secretary there has been no formal response. I am expecting her to say "CHECK THE SCORE BOOK BUNYA", and not bother to respond to the detail & questions of my email.

By the way, I have not had any response either from John Bradley (head of DERM) to 2 emails I sent about 3 weeks back.

In regard to Arrow Energy's contamination event, it will be noted that their initial high Benzene reading was 2ppb ASX announcement 8th Nov 2010 company code AGK.

Check this reference - you may be able to use incorporate it in your list.

Tuesday 9th November, the Herald Sun http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/scare-on-arrow-coal-seam-gas/story-e6frfh4f-1225949956736

Secondary testing revealed that the maximum benzene level had RISEN TO 3 PPB - ASX announcement 18th November refers.

Insofaras Origin Energy is concerned, check this website - you may be able to use it as well.

http://origintogether.com/your-questions/faqs/

"The traces of benzene were very low - ranges from 1 part per billion to 100 ppb at the maximum level, equivalent to a half a cup in an Olympic size swimming pool."

They seem to think that a reading of 100 ppb benzene is nothing to worry about - it's a very low reading! Yet DERM has seen fit to shut-down Cougar Energy over 2 readins of 2 ppb benzene which were recorded in May last year.

You may also think this website worthy of being included in you extensive list of references.

http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/scienceandeducation/factsheets/factsheets2006/benzeneinflavouredbe3247.cfm

They conducted tests on flavoured beverages in 2006. In part it reads:

"FSANZ sampled 68 flavoured beverages in March/April 2006. These were purchased from typical retail outlets and analysed for benzene by a suitably qualified independent laboratory. The survey results are not representative of all flavoured beverages as the sampling was targeted mainly at beverages that were more likely to contain benzene and included; cola and non cola soft drinks, flavoured mineral waters, cordial, fruit juice, fruit drinks, energy drinks, and flavoured/sports water.

Of the 68 samples tested, 38 beverage products contained trace levels of benzene. The levels detected ranged from 1 to 40 ppb. More than 90% of all beverages surveyed had levels of benzene below the WHO guidelines for drinking water (10 ppb)."

So that means 10% of beverages tested exceeded the WHO Drinking Water Guideline of 10 ppb. How many of those tests exceeded the Australian Drinking Water Guideline of 1 ppb - it makes you wonder. If Benzene does cause cancer, why is it allowed as an additive in flavoured beverages at all? If it is allowed, shouldn't the maximum level not exceed the ADWG of 1 ppb.

This is a very brief note guys as I do not have the time to elaborate but I hope you derive some benefit from the content. I have not been out & about talking with business people or the average "Joe Blo" for opinions as my time has been consumed by a major problem I am endeavouring to get on top of.

Cheers