❓ A parliamentary question addresses concerns about Alcoa plant emissions potentially causing cancer and health problems, despite emission levels being reportedly below world standards. The Minister acknowledges the issue, ongoing research, and collaboration with medical professionals and Alcoa to find a solution.
AnsweredQoN 609Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ALCOA WORLD ALUMINA AUSTRALIA, KWINANA AND WAGERUP PLANTS
I refer the minister to the revelations on the front page of The West Australian today that Alcoa World Alumina Australia has known for some time that emissions from its Kwinana and Wagerup plants could cause cancer and other health problems. (1) In light of the minister’s responsibilities under the state agreement Act, what action does he intend to take in relation to ongoing emissions from these two Alcoa plants? (2) Given the number of complaints that have been raised with me about the level of these emissions and the associated impact on the health of local residents, will the minister implement a broader inquiry into the revelations that Alcoa has known about this problem for at least a decade? Mr BROWN
I refer the minister to the revelations on the front page of The West Australian today that Alcoa World Alumina Australia has known for some time that emissions from its Kwinana and Wagerup plants could cause cancer and other health problems. (1) In light of the minister’s responsibilities under the state agreement Act, what action does he intend to take in relation to ongoing emissions from these two Alcoa plants? (2) Given the number of complaints that have been raised with me about the level of these emissions and the associated impact on the health of local residents, will the minister implement a broader inquiry into the revelations that Alcoa has known about this problem for at least a decade? Mr BROWN
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) I thank the member for Murray-Wellington for some notice of this question. The member has drawn that serious matter to my attention and to the attention of the Minister for the Environment and Heritage on a number of occasions as well as drawing it to the attention of Alcoa and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. As the member is aware, this matter has bedevilled science and the medical profession. The report in this morning’s The West Australian indicates that there are emissions. Equally, it indicates - correctly, according to the information with which I have been provided - that emission levels are below world standards and should not provide the type of reaction that we have seen in local residents and which has confounded medical experts. With my department, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, who is a medical practitioner, has taken particular interest in this in her role as minister. The medical practitioners who are treating some of the local residents for the various symptoms they have are seeking to meet with Alcoa and government officers to try to work out what is causing the symptoms. They have confounded the medical profession and science thus far. The report that is referred to in this morning’s The West Australian indicates that emissions are coming from the liquor burner. However all of the testing that I am aware of indicates that the levels are not above the emission requirements set by various world standards; in fact, they are well below those requirements, hence the medical problems that have been encountered by workers and local residents still confounding the professionals. Barry Carbon produced a report that I read the other day on this matter, and has made a number of suggestions about what further work should be carried out. Some of that work will be now carried out. In all of the discussions that I have had, I do not think there is any lack of will to try to address this problem. There is a lack of science here in knowing what is causing this effect. Barry Carbon made some suggestions in his report. I hope that the further work that will be carried out will produce a result. It is important to ensure two things: firstly, it is most important that the residents and workers of Alcoa can work in a safe environment - an environment in which they are not injured as a result of emissions. Secondly, to ensure that Alcoa, which is a significant company in Western Australia and makes a huge contribution to the State, can continue to operate. We need further research in this area and I am assured that that research will continue with the view to trying to find a solution to the problem.
(1) In light of the minister’s responsibilities under the state agreement Act, what action does he intend to take in relation to ongoing emissions from these two Alcoa plants? (2) Given the number of complaints that have been raised with me about the level of these emissions and the associated impact on the health of local residents, will the minister implement a broader inquiry into the revelations that Alcoa has known about this problem for at least a decade? Mr BROWN replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for Murray-Wellington for some notice of this question. The member has drawn that serious matter to my attention and to the attention of the Minister for the Environment and Heritage on a number of occasions as well as drawing it to the attention of Alcoa and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. As the member is aware, this matter has bedevilled science and the medical profession. The report in this morning’s The West Australian indicates that there are emissions. Equally, it indicates - correctly, according to the information with which I have been provided - that emission levels are below world standards and should not provide the type of reaction that we have seen in local residents and which has confounded medical experts. With my department, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, who is a medical practitioner, has taken particular interest in this in her role as minister. The medical practitioners who are treating some of the local residents for the various symptoms they have are seeking to meet with Alcoa and government officers to try to work out what is causing the symptoms. They have confounded the medical profession and science thus far. The report that is referred to in this morning’s The West Australian indicates that emissions are coming from the liquor burner. However all of the testing that I am aware of indicates that the levels are not above the emission requirements set by various world standards; in fact, they are well below those requirements, hence the medical problems that have been encountered by workers and local residents still confounding the professionals. Barry Carbon produced a report that I read the other day on this matter, and has made a number of suggestions about what further work should be carried out. Some of that work will be now carried out. In all of the discussions that I have had, I do not think there is any lack of will to try to address this problem. There is a lack of science here in knowing what is causing this effect. Barry Carbon made some suggestions in his report. I hope that the further work that will be carried out will produce a result. It is important to ensure two things: firstly, it is most important that the residents and workers of Alcoa can work in a safe environment - an environment in which they are not injured as a result of emissions. Secondly, to ensure that Alcoa, which is a significant company in Western Australia and makes a huge contribution to the State, can continue to operate. We need further research in this area and I am assured that that research will continue with the view to trying to find a solution to the problem.
(2) Given the number of complaints that have been raised with me about the level of these emissions and the associated impact on the health of local residents, will the minister implement a broader inquiry into the revelations that Alcoa has known about this problem for at least a decade? Mr BROWN replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for Murray-Wellington for some notice of this question. The member has drawn that serious matter to my attention and to the attention of the Minister for the Environment and Heritage on a number of occasions as well as drawing it to the attention of Alcoa and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. As the member is aware, this matter has bedevilled science and the medical profession. The report in this morning’s The West Australian indicates that there are emissions. Equally, it indicates - correctly, according to the information with which I have been provided - that emission levels are below world standards and should not provide the type of reaction that we have seen in local residents and which has confounded medical experts. With my department, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, who is a medical practitioner, has taken particular interest in this in her role as minister. The medical practitioners who are treating some of the local residents for the various symptoms they have are seeking to meet with Alcoa and government officers to try to work out what is causing the symptoms. They have confounded the medical profession and science thus far. The report that is referred to in this morning’s The West Australian indicates that emissions are coming from the liquor burner. However all of the testing that I am aware of indicates that the levels are not above the emission requirements set by various world standards; in fact, they are well below those requirements, hence the medical problems that have been encountered by workers and local residents still confounding the professionals. Barry Carbon produced a report that I read the other day on this matter, and has made a number of suggestions about what further work should be carried out. Some of that work will be now carried out. In all of the discussions that I have had, I do not think there is any lack of will to try to address this problem. There is a lack of science here in knowing what is causing this effect. Barry Carbon made some suggestions in his report. I hope that the further work that will be carried out will produce a result. It is important to ensure two things: firstly, it is most important that the residents and workers of Alcoa can work in a safe environment - an environment in which they are not injured as a result of emissions. Secondly, to ensure that Alcoa, which is a significant company in Western Australia and makes a huge contribution to the State, can continue to operate. We need further research in this area and I am assured that that research will continue with the view to trying to find a solution to the problem.
Mr BROWN replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for Murray-Wellington for some notice of this question. The member has drawn that serious matter to my attention and to the attention of the Minister for the Environment and Heritage on a number of occasions as well as drawing it to the attention of Alcoa and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. As the member is aware, this matter has bedevilled science and the medical profession. The report in this morning’s The West Australian indicates that there are emissions. Equally, it indicates - correctly, according to the information with which I have been provided - that emission levels are below world standards and should not provide the type of reaction that we have seen in local residents and which has confounded medical experts. With my department, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, who is a medical practitioner, has taken particular interest in this in her role as minister. The medical practitioners who are treating some of the local residents for the various symptoms they have are seeking to meet with Alcoa and government officers to try to work out what is causing the symptoms. They have confounded the medical profession and science thus far. The report that is referred to in this morning’s The West Australian indicates that emissions are coming from the liquor burner. However all of the testing that I am aware of indicates that the levels are not above the emission requirements set by various world standards; in fact, they are well below those requirements, hence the medical problems that have been encountered by workers and local residents still confounding the professionals. Barry Carbon produced a report that I read the other day on this matter, and has made a number of suggestions about what further work should be carried out. Some of that work will be now carried out. In all of the discussions that I have had, I do not think there is any lack of will to try to address this problem. There is a lack of science here in knowing what is causing this effect. Barry Carbon made some suggestions in his report. I hope that the further work that will be carried out will produce a result. It is important to ensure two things: firstly, it is most important that the residents and workers of Alcoa can work in a safe environment - an environment in which they are not injured as a result of emissions. Secondly, to ensure that Alcoa, which is a significant company in Western Australia and makes a huge contribution to the State, can continue to operate. We need further research in this area and I am assured that that research will continue with the view to trying to find a solution to the problem.
(1)-(2) I thank the member for Murray-Wellington for some notice of this question. The member has drawn that serious matter to my attention and to the attention of the Minister for the Environment and Heritage on a number of occasions as well as drawing it to the attention of Alcoa and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. As the member is aware, this matter has bedevilled science and the medical profession. The report in this morning’s The West Australian indicates that there are emissions. Equally, it indicates - correctly, according to the information with which I have been provided - that emission levels are below world standards and should not provide the type of reaction that we have seen in local residents and which has confounded medical experts. With my department, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, who is a medical practitioner, has taken particular interest in this in her role as minister. The medical practitioners who are treating some of the local residents for the various symptoms they have are seeking to meet with Alcoa and government officers to try to work out what is causing the symptoms. They have confounded the medical profession and science thus far. The report that is referred to in this morning’s The West Australian indicates that emissions are coming from the liquor burner. However all of the testing that I am aware of indicates that the levels are not above the emission requirements set by various world standards; in fact, they are well below those requirements, hence the medical problems that have been encountered by workers and local residents still confounding the professionals. Barry Carbon produced a report that I read the other day on this matter, and has made a number of suggestions about what further work should be carried out. Some of that work will be now carried out. In all of the discussions that I have had, I do not think there is any lack of will to try to address this problem. There is a lack of science here in knowing what is causing this effect. Barry Carbon made some suggestions in his report. I hope that the further work that will be carried out will produce a result. It is important to ensure two things: firstly, it is most important that the residents and workers of Alcoa can work in a safe environment - an environment in which they are not injured as a result of emissions. Secondly, to ensure that Alcoa, which is a significant company in Western Australia and makes a huge contribution to the State, can continue to operate. We need further research in this area and I am assured that that research will continue with the view to trying to find a solution to the problem.
(1) In light of the minister’s responsibilities under the state agreement Act, what action does he intend to take in relation to ongoing emissions from these two Alcoa plants? (2) Given the number of complaints that have been raised with me about the level of these emissions and the associated impact on the health of local residents, will the minister implement a broader inquiry into the revelations that Alcoa has known about this problem for at least a decade? Mr BROWN replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for Murray-Wellington for some notice of this question. The member has drawn that serious matter to my attention and to the attention of the Minister for the Environment and Heritage on a number of occasions as well as drawing it to the attention of Alcoa and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. As the member is aware, this matter has bedevilled science and the medical profession. The report in this morning’s The West Australian indicates that there are emissions. Equally, it indicates - correctly, according to the information with which I have been provided - that emission levels are below world standards and should not provide the type of reaction that we have seen in local residents and which has confounded medical experts. With my department, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, who is a medical practitioner, has taken particular interest in this in her role as minister. The medical practitioners who are treating some of the local residents for the various symptoms they have are seeking to meet with Alcoa and government officers to try to work out what is causing the symptoms. They have confounded the medical profession and science thus far. The report that is referred to in this morning’s The West Australian indicates that emissions are coming from the liquor burner. However all of the testing that I am aware of indicates that the levels are not above the emission requirements set by various world standards; in fact, they are well below those requirements, hence the medical problems that have been encountered by workers and local residents still confounding the professionals. Barry Carbon produced a report that I read the other day on this matter, and has made a number of suggestions about what further work should be carried out. Some of that work will be now carried out. In all of the discussions that I have had, I do not think there is any lack of will to try to address this problem. There is a lack of science here in knowing what is causing this effect. Barry Carbon made some suggestions in his report. I hope that the further work that will be carried out will produce a result. It is important to ensure two things: firstly, it is most important that the residents and workers of Alcoa can work in a safe environment - an environment in which they are not injured as a result of emissions. Secondly, to ensure that Alcoa, which is a significant company in Western Australia and makes a huge contribution to the State, can continue to operate. We need further research in this area and I am assured that that research will continue with the view to trying to find a solution to the problem.
(2) Given the number of complaints that have been raised with me about the level of these emissions and the associated impact on the health of local residents, will the minister implement a broader inquiry into the revelations that Alcoa has known about this problem for at least a decade? Mr BROWN replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for Murray-Wellington for some notice of this question. The member has drawn that serious matter to my attention and to the attention of the Minister for the Environment and Heritage on a number of occasions as well as drawing it to the attention of Alcoa and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. As the member is aware, this matter has bedevilled science and the medical profession. The report in this morning’s The West Australian indicates that there are emissions. Equally, it indicates - correctly, according to the information with which I have been provided - that emission levels are below world standards and should not provide the type of reaction that we have seen in local residents and which has confounded medical experts. With my department, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, who is a medical practitioner, has taken particular interest in this in her role as minister. The medical practitioners who are treating some of the local residents for the various symptoms they have are seeking to meet with Alcoa and government officers to try to work out what is causing the symptoms. They have confounded the medical profession and science thus far. The report that is referred to in this morning’s The West Australian indicates that emissions are coming from the liquor burner. However all of the testing that I am aware of indicates that the levels are not above the emission requirements set by various world standards; in fact, they are well below those requirements, hence the medical problems that have been encountered by workers and local residents still confounding the professionals. Barry Carbon produced a report that I read the other day on this matter, and has made a number of suggestions about what further work should be carried out. Some of that work will be now carried out. In all of the discussions that I have had, I do not think there is any lack of will to try to address this problem. There is a lack of science here in knowing what is causing this effect. Barry Carbon made some suggestions in his report. I hope that the further work that will be carried out will produce a result. It is important to ensure two things: firstly, it is most important that the residents and workers of Alcoa can work in a safe environment - an environment in which they are not injured as a result of emissions. Secondly, to ensure that Alcoa, which is a significant company in Western Australia and makes a huge contribution to the State, can continue to operate. We need further research in this area and I am assured that that research will continue with the view to trying to find a solution to the problem.
Mr BROWN replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for Murray-Wellington for some notice of this question. The member has drawn that serious matter to my attention and to the attention of the Minister for the Environment and Heritage on a number of occasions as well as drawing it to the attention of Alcoa and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. As the member is aware, this matter has bedevilled science and the medical profession. The report in this morning’s The West Australian indicates that there are emissions. Equally, it indicates - correctly, according to the information with which I have been provided - that emission levels are below world standards and should not provide the type of reaction that we have seen in local residents and which has confounded medical experts. With my department, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, who is a medical practitioner, has taken particular interest in this in her role as minister. The medical practitioners who are treating some of the local residents for the various symptoms they have are seeking to meet with Alcoa and government officers to try to work out what is causing the symptoms. They have confounded the medical profession and science thus far. The report that is referred to in this morning’s The West Australian indicates that emissions are coming from the liquor burner. However all of the testing that I am aware of indicates that the levels are not above the emission requirements set by various world standards; in fact, they are well below those requirements, hence the medical problems that have been encountered by workers and local residents still confounding the professionals. Barry Carbon produced a report that I read the other day on this matter, and has made a number of suggestions about what further work should be carried out. Some of that work will be now carried out. In all of the discussions that I have had, I do not think there is any lack of will to try to address this problem. There is a lack of science here in knowing what is causing this effect. Barry Carbon made some suggestions in his report. I hope that the further work that will be carried out will produce a result. It is important to ensure two things: firstly, it is most important that the residents and workers of Alcoa can work in a safe environment - an environment in which they are not injured as a result of emissions. Secondly, to ensure that Alcoa, which is a significant company in Western Australia and makes a huge contribution to the State, can continue to operate. We need further research in this area and I am assured that that research will continue with the view to trying to find a solution to the problem.
(1)-(2) I thank the member for Murray-Wellington for some notice of this question. The member has drawn that serious matter to my attention and to the attention of the Minister for the Environment and Heritage on a number of occasions as well as drawing it to the attention of Alcoa and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. As the member is aware, this matter has bedevilled science and the medical profession. The report in this morning’s The West Australian indicates that there are emissions. Equally, it indicates - correctly, according to the information with which I have been provided - that emission levels are below world standards and should not provide the type of reaction that we have seen in local residents and which has confounded medical experts. With my department, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, who is a medical practitioner, has taken particular interest in this in her role as minister. The medical practitioners who are treating some of the local residents for the various symptoms they have are seeking to meet with Alcoa and government officers to try to work out what is causing the symptoms. They have confounded the medical profession and science thus far. The report that is referred to in this morning’s The West Australian indicates that emissions are coming from the liquor burner. However all of the testing that I am aware of indicates that the levels are not above the emission requirements set by various world standards; in fact, they are well below those requirements, hence the medical problems that have been encountered by workers and local residents still confounding the professionals. Barry Carbon produced a report that I read the other day on this matter, and has made a number of suggestions about what further work should be carried out. Some of that work will be now carried out. In all of the discussions that I have had, I do not think there is any lack of will to try to address this problem. There is a lack of science here in knowing what is causing this effect. Barry Carbon made some suggestions in his report. I hope that the further work that will be carried out will produce a result. It is important to ensure two things: firstly, it is most important that the residents and workers of Alcoa can work in a safe environment - an environment in which they are not injured as a result of emissions. Secondly, to ensure that Alcoa, which is a significant company in Western Australia and makes a huge contribution to the State, can continue to operate. We need further research in this area and I am assured that that research will continue with the view to trying to find a solution to the problem.
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