Parliamentary question without notice|Site Contamination, Clovelly Park and Mitchell Park
03/07/2014
The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: On the evening of 2 July 2014 residents of 40 properties in Clovelly Park were doorknocked by officers of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Housing SA and SA Health to provide an update regarding ongoing investigations into site contamination in the area. These issues have been actively regulated by the EPA since October 2008, when site contamination was first identified.
The contaminant detected at the affected residential area is trichloroethene, a colourless liquid chemical widely used in industrial applications, particularly for metal cleaning and degreasing, and is known to have been used in the Clovelly Park area. TCE is a volatile chemical, meaning that it readily evaporates and forms vapour, and is now known to last in the environment for hundreds of years. It is suspected that these substances entered the groundwater from previous landowners through historical practices involving waste handling, storage and disposal. The World Health Organisation and the US EPA recommends further investigation at concentration levels above two micrograms per cubic metre.
The TCE at the levels seen here do not indicate an immediate health risk to residents. However, in line with international standards it is prudent to investigate concentration levels above two micrograms per cubic metre to mitigate or rule out any risk of long-term exposure. The EPA has required Monroe to effectively engage with residents in a timely manner. The EPA Site Contamination Hotline has been provided on all written correspondence by Monroe to the residents.
In September 2012, a letter was sent to approximately 43 residents summarising the results of soil vapour and groundwater sampling and advised the need for indoor air testing at selected residential properties. In December 2012, correspondence advising of an initial indoor air sampling event was sent to seven Housing SA properties requesting samples be obtained from inside the properties, in addition to a letter to the wider community (approximately 43 residents).
In January 2013, advice was provided to the seven Housing SA properties and an additional 43 residents advising of the results of first round of indoor air sampling and that a follow-up round was required. In April 2013, Monroe, URS Australia (a site contamination consultant), Housing SA and the EPA visited residents to advise of indoor air and soil vapour sampling. During late 2013, URS Australia undertook further indoor air and soil vapour sampling as part of the ongoing assessment work being undertaken within the residential area at Clovelly Park.
In October 2013, further letters were sent to approximately six targeted residents in addition to a letter to approximately 43 residential properties advising that further work was required, involving indoor air testing. In December 2013, residents were advised by Monroe and URS Australia via a letter drop and direct discussion that the results of the indoor air sampling would be used to prepare a detailed site investigation report and committed to ongoing communication with residents this year.
On 16 May 2014, the draft Vapour Intrusion Risk Assessment (VIRA) report was provided to the EPA, SA Health and Housing SA by consultants engaged by Monroe which indicated levels of TCE were higher than previously measured. After receiving the draft VIRA report on 16 May 2014, the report was reviewed by an independent accredited auditor engaged by the EPA, in accordance with best practice. In addition, the report was reviewed by the EPA and SA Health.
On 6 June 2014, a meeting was held between executives of SA Health, EPA, Housing SA and Renewal SA to discuss the VIRA report. In response to the assessment of the draft report, an interagency task force has been established, including representatives from the EPA, SA Health and Housing SA to coordinate the government’s response. On 25 June 2014, this task force proposed to government that as a precautionary measure residents of 31 properties be relocated over a period of six months while further investigation work is carried out.
The task force proposed communication and engagement be undertaken in a coordinated and orderly fashion on 3 July 2014. As a result of statements made in parliament on 2 July 2014, this communication and engagement was brought forward to ensure residents were fully informed of the situation by experts who could take them through the matter in detail and answer any immediate questions they may have.
Housing SA has implemented a relocation plan for residents of 23 properties that will take place over a six-month period, commencing in the coming weeks. Discussions have commenced with residents of two private properties in the investigation area to seek their input on a range of options for relocation or vapour intrusion mitigation.
Further investigations are to be undertaken to determine the nature and extent of site contamination in the Clovelly Park area and remediation options will also be investigated. When a further investigation area has been identified, communication with residents in the wider area will occur to advise them of the work being undertaken and to provide them with information on the nature of the investigation.
Residents will also be invited to attend community open house sessions where they will have the opportunity to ask questions of the EPA and SA Health specialists on the matter. I am advised Monroe has been cooperating fully with the EPA and undertaking work and liaising with residents as required. The EPA will provide monthly updates to residents within the investigation area and I encourage anyone seeking further information to contact the EPA on hotline number 1800 770 174.
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: Supplementary question: given that TCE poses a particular risk to pregnant women, did the minister, when doorknocking the residents of Clovelly Park, make a particular effort to warn pregnant women of the potential risk of congenital heart defects in newborns?
The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation): It is important to understand in all this that the advice from the Department of Health is that the level of TCE coming up through the soil from the contaminated groundwater is such a very low level that it is unlikely that any resident was exposed to this chemical in a way that would have caused them any health dangers at all.
It is important to understand that the occupational limit for exposure to TCE in the workplace is 27,000 times higher, I am advised, than the level that was found in these houses—27,000 times higher. This is occupational exposure, eight hours a day, five days a week, and that is 27,000 times higher at 54 milligrams per cubic metre. The World Health Organisation advises that the levels discovered in the houses of two micrograms—not milligrams, but micrograms—per metre squared are sufficient to inquire further. That is the extent of the information. I repeat again: the Department of Health is of the view that the levels found in this report are of a level that would not have an adverse impact on any of the residents in their health.
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: Supplementary, Mr President: does the minister concede that there must be some risk to residents, otherwise he would not be advising them to relocate at all?
The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation): I can only draw honourable members’ attention to my ministerial statement and comments that I have made previously. The advice from the Department of Health is that exposure to the levels that have been monitored and found is very unlikely to have any impact on the health of residents.
