Chemical safety questioned

Press, 4 March 1978, Page 5

Chemical safety questioned

Industrial chemicals are not adequately covered by, transport safety regulations. 1 according to the president of I the Institute of Chemistry; (Dr G. A. Wright). The conditions which led to the spillage of a noxious chemical in Parnell five years ago still existed and such an incident could occur again in any New Zealand port, said Dr Wright. A civil emergency was declared on February 28. 1973. after some damaged drums containing a corn-! mercial chemical defoliant i were found leaking in a I storage yard in Parnell.! People were moved away un-l til the chemical was neutralised and removed. A commission of inquiry was held but its recommendations had yet to be acted on, said Dr Wright. “What is required is a simple and reliable system of labelling and documenting hazardous chemicals to give adequate warning of the danger involved and the emergency

■ measures that should be taken in case of a leak or ’ accident. ; “The institute remains very concerned about the safe handling of chemicals and the avoidance of incidents of poisoning, explor sion, fire or contamination of ! the environment,” he said. Doctor Wright said that i safety regulations were working well in seme areas i such as agricultural chemi- . cals, explosives and pharmallceuticals. It was ironic that ; radioactivity hazards were J very thoroughly covered by i| stringent regulations, yet .[there were no recorded •'deaths from radioactive haz- ;; ards. “The death rate for acci- ' dental poisoning in New Zea- ■ land is twice the rate for I electric shock,” he said. “We > must get our priorities right I and lay down sensible work- ; ing regulations for hazardous i chemicals that can be i effectively applied by in- • dustry and the public gen- ' erally.”