Gunnedah clouded in toxic chemicals

Friday, 26 February 1999 10:00

 "According to local residents, the chemical blew in with winds from the south east off the nearby Breeza Plains. After the winds died down the cloud of chemicals stayed over Gunnedah," said Ms Jo Immig, Chemicals Campaigner Total Environment Centre.

"People living in the area are all too familiar with the smell of different pesticides in the air and quickly recognised it and alerted authorities. The EPA and local health authorities are apparently investigating numerous complaints made by residents.

"This latest incident is another example of how cotton Best Management Practices and Good Neighbour Programs fail to protect the community and environment from regular bombardment with dangerous cotton chemicals,"

"The NSW government's blatant disregard for the health and safety of people living in cotton growing areas is appalling. Following hot on the heels from the endosulfan beef residue crisis, one wonders how many more incidents will occur before the cotton industry and the government admit that self-regulation of dangerous insecticides is absurd".

"Doctors and residents should be on the look out for symptoms of organophosphate poisoning which are most rapid following inhalation. According to Queensland Health Guidelines for Medical Management of Organophosphate Toxicity, the exposed become symptomatic within 12 hours which symptoms such as: blurred vision; increased salivation and sweating; headache; confusion; slurred speech; muscular cramps; bradycardia; nausea; vomiting and bronchconstriction," Ms Immig concluded.