Gerald Lynch
The factory fire in Derrimut has been confirmed to have caused little or no harm to nearby residents, according to a report from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
On July 10, a large fire broke out at a chemical factory at 118 Swann Drive. The fire burned for approximately six hours before being brought under control.
An EPA spokesperson said air quality was not an issue during or after the fire.
“The report shows that while solvents stored in the factory produced potentially harmful emissions during the fire and contaminated firewater that flowed into local waterways, particularly Laverton Creek, the temperature of the fire pushed the smoke plume to a high altitude,” the spokesperson said.
“As a result, air quality was a low risk to human health to nearby residents.
“Chemicals in all local waterways were below levels that could pose a risk to human health but chemical levels in Kayes Drain and Laverton Creek could have been harmful to fish.
“This was resolved quickly and there was no evidence of harm to wildlife.
There was no evidence of harm in Cherry Creek or Cherry Lake and we did not find any persistent chemicals – like heavy metals or Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).”
The report provided an overview of the air and water quality monitoring during and after the fire. It assessed any human health risks associated with air and water quality, as well as risks to the aquatic environment.
Both air and water quality testing results found little or no risk of harm to nearby residents. Any localised impacts to waterways were short lived. Air quality during the fire posed a low risk to human health due to the high temperature of the fire pushing the smoke plume to a high altitude, and wind conditions dispersing and diluting the smoke.
Water quality testing showed there was a low risk to human health through accidental ingestion, inhalation or skin contact.
The EPA will hold a community information session to discuss the report and answer community questions, on Monday, October 14 from 6pm to 7.30pm at the Sasella Park Hall in Deer Park.
