Mushroom factory 'not a risk to health’

Press, 3 July 1979, Page 6

Mushroom factory 'not a risk to health’

Health Department tests in the Prebbleton area showed no evidence of chemical contamination from the factory of Meadow Mushrooms. Ltd, the Planning Tribunal heard yesterday when an appeal hearing resumed. The appeal is against a decision by the Paparua County Council refusing the company permission to expand its factory.

The tribunal’s chairman (Mr P. R. Skelton, S.M.) said he hoped the hearing of evidence could be concluded by tomorrow afternoon.

Three Health Department officials gave evidence yesterday. Mr J. R. Twinn, head of the South Island regional noise office of the department, said that measurements in the Prebbleton area showed that noise levels emanating from the factory were within acceptable limits. “The normal usage of

extended facilities,” he said, “should not have an adverse effect on residents.” Mr L. A. Graham, senior inspector of health in Christchurch, said that extensive tests had been made on ground water supplies in the area and that no evidence of chemical contamination from the factory had been revealed. “The present operation is' satisfactory," he said, “and expansion should pose no new additional problems.” Dr .1. G. Tees, Deputy Medical Officer of Health and a specialist in public health and preventive medicine, said that after repeated appeals and requests, nine persons finally agreed to be examined and in no case could he or other specialists find any ailments which could be directly tied to the chemicals used in the plant. There had been consid-

erable talk about the adverse effects of the fumigant methyl bromide in the plant, but, Dr Tees said, his examinations showed “in no case was there any evidence found that the matters complained of related to chemical discharges from Meadow Mushrooms, Ltd.” “As a result of my inquiries, tests and examinations, I believe that the presence of this particular industry in Prebbleton is affecting the comfort and general well-being of some of the residents, but there is no evidence that these effects are being produced from cheinical discharges from the factory premises rather than from tension and anxiety caused by the nearness of the factory.” The appeal hearing will continue today in the Waimairi County Council chambers.