Dioxin levels recorded at a Port Kembla copper manufacturer that were up to 172 times the allowable limit were "a concern", the Environment Protection Authority said yesterday.
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It was revealed this week that Port Kembla's MM Kembla had been ordered to shut down part of its plant equipment indefinitely after initial tests revealed dioxin levels were more than four times the limit of 0.1 nanograms per cubic metre.
MM Kembla confirmed that a second round of test results received this week had identified dioxin readings of 17.2 and 12.9 nanograms - 172 and 129 times the allowable limit.
EPA chairman Barry Buffier said yesterday that the investigations were ongoing and the second series of results would also be analysed.
"The EPA is aware that the preliminary results from this further testing show very high levels of dioxins," Mr Buffier said.
"These results are being provided to the EPA today and will be reviewed as part of its ongoing investigation to determine the cause of the exceedances."
He said NSW Health was also investigating but had advised the EPA that the initial samples of 0.41 nanograms per cubic metre did not pose any acute health risks for Port Kembla residents.
MM Kembla chief executive Col Weatherstone told the Mercury that the validity of the elevated results were in question and further results were pending.
MM Kembla reported initial test results to the EPA late last month after it found levels of dioxins and furans from the company's horizontal billet caster were more than four times their licence limit.
Machinery shut down for routine maintenance for a week before the EPA receiving the results would remain inactive until the issue was resolved, the EPA confirmed this week.
Mr Weatherstone said MM Kembla was committed to upholding its environmental responsibilities and would work closely with the EPA to resolve the issue, including installing new filters and frames to better capture and filtrate emissions.
The company would inform the community of the exceedances at a Port Kembla Pollution Committee meeting on May 11, when the EPA would have a better grasp of the breach, Mr Buffier said.