By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
A DANDENONG South insulation manufacturer is seeking to water down its pollution licence after being issued with a notice by the state’s environment watchdog last year.
In an annual performance statement for 2010-11 on the Environment Protection Authority’s website, Fletcher Insulation exceeded its licensed discharge limits on five of 16 measures for toxic substances across three smokestacks.
At two of the chimneys, formaldehyde was discharged at above the licence limits. In one case, the maximum level was 35 grams a minute – almost triple the company’s allowance.
The National Pollutant Inventory states that formaldehyde exposure at low levels can irritate the eyes, nose and throat and cause skin and lung allergies. It is listed as a potential carcinogen when inhaled.
Readings for phenol and fine particle matter also breached licence limits.
The EPA issued a notice on June 24 last year, requesting the company provide an expert report on its air emissions and possible equipment upgrades. The EPA is assessing that report.
“Companies are expected to meet best practice requirements in environmental management of these emissions as incorporated in the State Environment Protection Policy (Air Quality Management),” an EPA spokeswoman said.
In response to the breach, Fletcher Insulation is seeking a review of its licence limits.
It claimed in its annual performance statement that its licence limits were “incorrect or lower than the acceptable limit with respect to SEPP requirements”.
It stated that “assessments revealed no offsite [environmental] impact” caused by its non-compliance.
A Department of Health spokesman said the EPA had advised “the emissions … comply with the State Environmental Protection Policy for air”.
In 2008 Fletcher Insulation was fined $5506 by the EPA over off-site odour, which was thought to have been emitted during the melting of recycled glass.
Fletcher Insulation did not respond to the Weekly about last year’s breach before deadline.
LICENCE BREACHES IN DANDENONG 2010-11
CSR Building Products
* excess particles (PM10) 83 grams a minute (limit is 0.87g/min)
* fluorine compounds 8.2 grams a minute (limit: 0.08g/min)
* cholorine compounds 110 grams a minute (limit: 0.45g/min)
* extensive soil contamination on vacant land next door due to factory fire May 18, 2011
PZ Cussons
* air particles: 50 grams a minute (limit: 28g/min)
Fletcher Insulation
* formaldehyde 35 grams a minute (limit 12 g/min) and 15 grams a minute (limit 4g/min). Readings are for separate smokestacks.
* particles (PM10) 270 grams a minute (limit: 249 g/min); particles (PM2.5) 250 grams a minute (limit: 234 g/min); phenol 0.28 grams a minute (limit: 0.2 g/min)
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