BlueScope has said any health effects arising from the fire at its Port Kembla sinter plant last week are "unlikely."
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As part of stringent conditions set by the Environmental Protection Agency around the restart of the sinter plant, Bluescope has begun monitoring and publishing data around emissions from the plant on its website.
BlueScope’s general manager of manufacturing John Nowlan said test results confirmed neither the fire, nor the fibreglass fallout that rained down on properties in Cringila, Warrawong and Port Kembla, posed any significant risk to public health.
“BlueScope has received advice from an independent toxicologist. It is unlikely that the health of the community has been put at any significant risk because of the fire," Mr Nowlan said.
“Independent laboratory tests also confirm that the residual material from the burnt fibreglass did not detect any dioxins or asbestos in the material."
Bluescope has published air quality data collected on October 17 and 18 on its website, which show the restarted plant did not exceed allowable limits.
Results for carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulphuric acid, sulphur dioxide, solid particles and other pollutants registered at relatively low levels in air surrounding the sinter plant.
The company has also published a list of "frequently asked questions" on its website, relating to the fibreglass fallout.
Bluescope writes “it is unlikely your health has been put at any significant risk because of the fire,” but offers to “arrange for an independent doctor to talk to you if you are concerned about health impacts.”
The document warns “It is possible the fibreglass… may cause mild, short term and reversible irritation to the eyes, upper respiratory system, and mucous membranes of the nose and mouth.”
The document also refutes claims of asbestos in the collapsed stack, and gives a number of recommendations around fibreglass that may have come into contact with nearby homes.
Bluescope advises residents contact the company to have fibreglass collected and removed; to monitor pets that may have ingested the material; to rinse any vegetables growing in a garden where fibreglass had fallen; and promised investigators will “assess the situation” if fibreglass has fallen into water tanks.
