Toxic log fumigant under investigation
HANK SCHOUTEN - The Dominion Post | Monday, 11 February 2008


A fumigant routinely used on export cargoes is to be investigated by the Environmental Risk Management Authority.


Erma spokesman David Venables made the announcement after concerns were raised about the use of toxic methyl bromide gas on logs being exported through Wellington's port.

Reassessment of the gas was a priority for Erma and work was expected to start in the middle of the year. Public consultations were to be included in the study.

Mr Venables said the principle international concern about methyl bromide was its effect on ozone depletion.

Other countries were already looking at alternatives and the chemical's use as a soil fumigant had already been banned in New Zealand, he said.

There has been growing concern in New Zealand about its effect on human health, particularly among workers exposed to it on the wharves.

Soil & Health Association spokesman Steffan Browning said he was appalled that the poisonous gas was being used to treat logs on the waterfront, close to Westpac Stadium, Wellington railway station and right next to where cruise ships docked.

Maritime Union waterfront branch secretary John Whiting said that though the gas had been used as a cargo fumigant for decades, it was now being used a lot more on log exports to meet the requirements of the country they were being exported to.

It was not a huge issue with the workers but "we're concerned in a general way", and people who worked near the fumigated log stacks were worried.

Concerns about methyl bromide were raised by the deaths of six Nelson waterfront workers from motor neuron disease, five of them between 2002 and 2005.

Family members believe there is a link to methyl bromide gas exposure.

However, Health and Labour department inquiries concluded there was no link and that fumigation could be carried out safely with a low risk of exposure.

Last year, Canterbury University toxicologist Professor Ian Shaw said Nelson's port population suffered a rate of motor neuron disease 25 times the international average.

The disease, which causes progressive muscular atrophy, is rare, with only two people in every 100,000 developing it internationally.

Based on an estimated Port Nelson working population of 200, the motor neuron rate was 50 per 100,000, said Professor Shaw, who is planning to carry out an investigation looking closely at the work history, genetic makeup, health history and exposure of affected workers.

The Labour Department said last week that methyl bromide's reputation as a highly poisonous substance was well known and that practical steps were required to protect people in areas where it was used.

"The department has been conducting site assessments at CentrePort. The assessments are continuing and we will be working with those involved with methyl bromide to ensure that reasonable steps are being taken to reduce the risk of harm during fumigations."

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