Plants damaged by fumes, and mist

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32783, 7 December 1971, Page 18

Plants damaged by fumes, and mist

Damage to plants in gardens to the south and south-west of the Hornby works of Kempthorne, Prosser and Company was indicative of severe fumigation with sulphur dioxide or acid mist, said a report from Dr G. T. Daly, of the Plant Sciences Department, Lincoln College, received by the Paparua County Council last evening.

Dr Daly said he had visited homes on three occasions, and had examined damaged plants sent to him. The plants were on properties situated so that conditions on the previous day could have fumigated them with effluent from the firm’s sulphuric acid plant. "To cause such severe damage, the concentrations of effluent may be approaching hundreds of parts per million of sulphur dioxide and sulphur trioxide mist for min-

utes, or a few parts per million for several hours,” he said. "The conclusion is inescapable that air pollution damage can and does occur near fertiliser works of this size.” )The council’s chief health inspector (Mr G. W. L. Fairhall) said he had had another complaint of glass etching from a Main South Road resident. Flecks of greyish-white powder were noticed on the windows. Mr Fairhall said he had discussed the complaint with the works manager, and there appeared to have been no reason for the “fallout.” The Health Department had made routine tests a few days previously, and the results were well below statutory. limits. The scrubber would be inspected by the department when the works were closed for maintenance. Mr Fairhall was asked to report again when he has received a report from the department. While the Witham Street well was not being used, a water sample showed 0.25 parts a million of fluoride, said Mr Fairhall. Previous samples had shown an average of 0.75 p.p.m. Samples from other wells Showed the water to be bacteriologically satisfactory.