❓ A WA parliamentary question raises concerns about thorium exposure from welding rods and red mud waste, particularly regarding health impacts and emissions. The Minister's response largely deflects responsibility to the Minister for Health and cites a lack of reporting requirements.
AnsweredQoN 1187Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) I refer to the thorium hazard in welding and Alcoa red mud waste at Kwinana, Perth Motorplex, Pinjarra, Wagerup and Worsley and ask if the
Minister is aware that welding rods containing up to two percent thorium dioxide (thoria) by weight have been used in Western Australia? (2) Are such welding rods still in use in Western Australia? (3) Have any measurements of body load of thorium been made in welders or others exposed to thorium contaminated dusts in Western Australia? (4) Is the Minister aware that thorium accumulates in the bodies of
people xposed, especially in the lung, pulmonary lymph nodes, bones,
liver, spleen, kidney and bones? (5) Have any autopsy studies been made of thorium and decay products in Western Australian workers versus the unexposed population? (6) Has any study been performed in Western Australia regarding the
incidence of disease, including cancer, in welders or others exposed to thorium? (7) Is the Minister aware that thorium exposure is associated with
higher incidence of hodgkins lymphoma, leukaemia, liver cancer, eye
cancer, pancreatic cancer, respiratory and digestive tract cancers? (8) Can the Minister provide detailed analysis of radon and thoron
emissions from the Perth Motorplex site and all red mud residue areas in the
State, including areas treated with alkaloam? (9) When did Alcoa commence radon and thoron monitoring at its Western
Australian facilities, including mines, refineries, railcars and port
stockpiles and handling facilities, and what were the maximum
concentrations of those radioactive gases detected?
Minister is aware that welding rods containing up to two percent thorium dioxide (thoria) by weight have been used in Western Australia? (2) Are such welding rods still in use in Western Australia? (3) Have any measurements of body load of thorium been made in welders or others exposed to thorium contaminated dusts in Western Australia? (4) Is the Minister aware that thorium accumulates in the bodies of
people xposed, especially in the lung, pulmonary lymph nodes, bones,
liver, spleen, kidney and bones? (5) Have any autopsy studies been made of thorium and decay products in Western Australian workers versus the unexposed population? (6) Has any study been performed in Western Australia regarding the
incidence of disease, including cancer, in welders or others exposed to thorium? (7) Is the Minister aware that thorium exposure is associated with
higher incidence of hodgkins lymphoma, leukaemia, liver cancer, eye
cancer, pancreatic cancer, respiratory and digestive tract cancers? (8) Can the Minister provide detailed analysis of radon and thoron
emissions from the Perth Motorplex site and all red mud residue areas in the
State, including areas treated with alkaloam? (9) When did Alcoa commence radon and thoron monitoring at its Western
Australian facilities, including mines, refineries, railcars and port
stockpiles and handling facilities, and what were the maximum
concentrations of those radioactive gases detected?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
24 June 2014
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
49 days
The Department of Mines and Petroleum advises:
(1)
The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) has advised that under the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
, companies are not required to advise DMP of the composition of any welding rods they may use.
(2)
See answer to (1).
(3)-(7)
These questions should be asked of the Minister for Health.
(8)
There is no requirement under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act
for alumina companies to report to DMP on radon and thoron emissions.
In regard to Alcoa of Australia Limited's (Alcoa's) materials, the WA bauxite ore from which alumina is extracted in the Bayer refining process contains traces of naturally occurring radionuclides, which are also found in rock and soils in general, and is therefore categorised as NORM (naturally occurring radioactive material).
Alcoa has for more than 30 years conducted extensive studies on the deportment of these trace radionuclides during bauxite processing to ensure there are no radiological health risks for the workforce or for the general public.
(9)
See answer to (8).
(1)
The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) has advised that under the
Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994
, companies are not required to advise DMP of the composition of any welding rods they may use.
(2)
See answer to (1).
(3)-(7)
These questions should be asked of the Minister for Health.
(8)
There is no requirement under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act
for alumina companies to report to DMP on radon and thoron emissions.
In regard to Alcoa of Australia Limited's (Alcoa's) materials, the WA bauxite ore from which alumina is extracted in the Bayer refining process contains traces of naturally occurring radionuclides, which are also found in rock and soils in general, and is therefore categorised as NORM (naturally occurring radioactive material).
Alcoa has for more than 30 years conducted extensive studies on the deportment of these trace radionuclides during bauxite processing to ensure there are no radiological health risks for the workforce or for the general public.
(9)
See answer to (8).
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