❓ Question regarding the health risks of dust pollution from Cockburn Cement Works, and a request for the Ministers of Health and Environment to meet with affected residents. The Minister acknowledges the dust is an irritant and the government is working to resolve the issue.
AnsweredQoN 130Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
COCKBURN CEMENT WORKS — DUST POLLUTION
I refer to the Department of Health’s newly released “Analysis of Dust Deposition Gauges in the Munster Area” regarding the Cockburn Cement plant. In particular, the department acknowledges — … that if emissions continue unabated, the risk of adverse health outcomes in the more susceptible people in the local population; namely infants, children and older community members will potentially increase. (1) Does the minister now accept that the excessive lime dust levels in the area are a significant health risk and that, as health minister, he now has an obligation to protect the health of the residents? (2) Will the Minister for Health and the Minister for Environment meet with the suffering residents to outline what they will do to cut the dust levels? Dr K.D. HAMES
I refer to the Department of Health’s newly released “Analysis of Dust Deposition Gauges in the Munster Area” regarding the Cockburn Cement plant. In particular, the department acknowledges — … that if emissions continue unabated, the risk of adverse health outcomes in the more susceptible people in the local population; namely infants, children and older community members will potentially increase. (1) Does the minister now accept that the excessive lime dust levels in the area are a significant health risk and that, as health minister, he now has an obligation to protect the health of the residents? (2) Will the Minister for Health and the Minister for Environment meet with the suffering residents to outline what they will do to cut the dust levels? Dr K.D. HAMES
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) It is actually a very good question. I have been very pleased to work with the member for Cockburn, who raised the issue with us six months ago. We looked at the dust emissions in the area because there were suggestions that local residents were suffering adverse health affects. I was a bit unhappy with the way my department was operating and its assessment of what those dust levels would do. The dust is not generally harmful to health, but it is an irritant and can cause medical problems because of that potential irritation. Good examples of that would be skin irritation causing a dermatitic-type rash or a nasal irritation causing potential nasal bleeding. I told my department to further investigate the claims that have been made about the adverse health impacts on the residents. I worked with the member for Cockburn, who provided some names of people. Obviously we cannot access doctors’ records to see who has been adversely affected and who has not. We do not have access to any of that medical information. Finding the detail of what medical problems were caused did not enable us to say that X number of patients have particular medical conditions as a result of the contamination. That did not eventuate through the process that we followed. Nevertheless, I accept that the level of dust, as an irritant, is not acceptable. The Minister for Environment is responsible for managing the dust levels. We have communicated on this issue and, as I have indicated, from a health point of view, although the contamination cannot cause a serious medical problem, it has the potential to cause minor health problems. As a government — Mr F.M. Logan : The latest report says that it could go further—it could get much worse than originally thought. Dr K.D. HAMES : Does the member mean in terms of the dust contamination? Mr F.M. Logan : Yes, and the impact on the residents, particularly children. That report came out on Monday. Dr K.D. HAMES : All right. I have not seen anything that shows that there have been significant medical outcomes as a result. But what I do know is that the government is working very hard, and the minister is working very hard, with the company to make sure that those dust problems are solved. We are looking in particular at what is happening with treating—what are they called?—the stacks — Mr R.H. Cook : The kilns. Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, the kilns—that is the term I was looking for—some of which have caused this problem in recent years. As a government, we do need to resolve that, and the minister is working very hard on that. The government has made a commitment to make sure that those problems are resolved. Even if the dust is not causing a medical problem, I have looked at the photographs that the member for Cockburn has provided of the dust. One of those photographs shows a thick layer of dust covering some solar heating panels. It is not acceptable that that should occur, and our government is working very hard to make sure that it is controlled.
(2) Will the Minister for Health and the Minister for Environment meet with the suffering residents to outline what they will do to cut the dust levels? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(2) It is actually a very good question. I have been very pleased to work with the member for Cockburn, who raised the issue with us six months ago. We looked at the dust emissions in the area because there were suggestions that local residents were suffering adverse health affects. I was a bit unhappy with the way my department was operating and its assessment of what those dust levels would do. The dust is not generally harmful to health, but it is an irritant and can cause medical problems because of that potential irritation. Good examples of that would be skin irritation causing a dermatitic-type rash or a nasal irritation causing potential nasal bleeding. I told my department to further investigate the claims that have been made about the adverse health impacts on the residents. I worked with the member for Cockburn, who provided some names of people. Obviously we cannot access doctors’ records to see who has been adversely affected and who has not. We do not have access to any of that medical information. Finding the detail of what medical problems were caused did not enable us to say that X number of patients have particular medical conditions as a result of the contamination. That did not eventuate through the process that we followed. Nevertheless, I accept that the level of dust, as an irritant, is not acceptable. The Minister for Environment is responsible for managing the dust levels. We have communicated on this issue and, as I have indicated, from a health point of view, although the contamination cannot cause a serious medical problem, it has the potential to cause minor health problems. As a government — Mr F.M. Logan : The latest report says that it could go further—it could get much worse than originally thought. Dr K.D. HAMES : Does the member mean in terms of the dust contamination? Mr F.M. Logan : Yes, and the impact on the residents, particularly children. That report came out on Monday. Dr K.D. HAMES : All right. I have not seen anything that shows that there have been significant medical outcomes as a result. But what I do know is that the government is working very hard, and the minister is working very hard, with the company to make sure that those dust problems are solved. We are looking in particular at what is happening with treating—what are they called?—the stacks — Mr R.H. Cook : The kilns. Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, the kilns—that is the term I was looking for—some of which have caused this problem in recent years. As a government, we do need to resolve that, and the minister is working very hard on that. The government has made a commitment to make sure that those problems are resolved. Even if the dust is not causing a medical problem, I have looked at the photographs that the member for Cockburn has provided of the dust. One of those photographs shows a thick layer of dust covering some solar heating panels. It is not acceptable that that should occur, and our government is working very hard to make sure that it is controlled.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(2) It is actually a very good question. I have been very pleased to work with the member for Cockburn, who raised the issue with us six months ago. We looked at the dust emissions in the area because there were suggestions that local residents were suffering adverse health affects. I was a bit unhappy with the way my department was operating and its assessment of what those dust levels would do. The dust is not generally harmful to health, but it is an irritant and can cause medical problems because of that potential irritation. Good examples of that would be skin irritation causing a dermatitic-type rash or a nasal irritation causing potential nasal bleeding. I told my department to further investigate the claims that have been made about the adverse health impacts on the residents. I worked with the member for Cockburn, who provided some names of people. Obviously we cannot access doctors’ records to see who has been adversely affected and who has not. We do not have access to any of that medical information. Finding the detail of what medical problems were caused did not enable us to say that X number of patients have particular medical conditions as a result of the contamination. That did not eventuate through the process that we followed. Nevertheless, I accept that the level of dust, as an irritant, is not acceptable. The Minister for Environment is responsible for managing the dust levels. We have communicated on this issue and, as I have indicated, from a health point of view, although the contamination cannot cause a serious medical problem, it has the potential to cause minor health problems. As a government — Mr F.M. Logan : The latest report says that it could go further—it could get much worse than originally thought. Dr K.D. HAMES : Does the member mean in terms of the dust contamination? Mr F.M. Logan : Yes, and the impact on the residents, particularly children. That report came out on Monday. Dr K.D. HAMES : All right. I have not seen anything that shows that there have been significant medical outcomes as a result. But what I do know is that the government is working very hard, and the minister is working very hard, with the company to make sure that those dust problems are solved. We are looking in particular at what is happening with treating—what are they called?—the stacks — Mr R.H. Cook : The kilns. Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, the kilns—that is the term I was looking for—some of which have caused this problem in recent years. As a government, we do need to resolve that, and the minister is working very hard on that. The government has made a commitment to make sure that those problems are resolved. Even if the dust is not causing a medical problem, I have looked at the photographs that the member for Cockburn has provided of the dust. One of those photographs shows a thick layer of dust covering some solar heating panels. It is not acceptable that that should occur, and our government is working very hard to make sure that it is controlled.
(1)–(2) It is actually a very good question. I have been very pleased to work with the member for Cockburn, who raised the issue with us six months ago. We looked at the dust emissions in the area because there were suggestions that local residents were suffering adverse health affects. I was a bit unhappy with the way my department was operating and its assessment of what those dust levels would do. The dust is not generally harmful to health, but it is an irritant and can cause medical problems because of that potential irritation. Good examples of that would be skin irritation causing a dermatitic-type rash or a nasal irritation causing potential nasal bleeding. I told my department to further investigate the claims that have been made about the adverse health impacts on the residents. I worked with the member for Cockburn, who provided some names of people. Obviously we cannot access doctors’ records to see who has been adversely affected and who has not. We do not have access to any of that medical information. Finding the detail of what medical problems were caused did not enable us to say that X number of patients have particular medical conditions as a result of the contamination. That did not eventuate through the process that we followed. Nevertheless, I accept that the level of dust, as an irritant, is not acceptable. The Minister for Environment is responsible for managing the dust levels. We have communicated on this issue and, as I have indicated, from a health point of view, although the contamination cannot cause a serious medical problem, it has the potential to cause minor health problems. As a government — Mr F.M. Logan : The latest report says that it could go further—it could get much worse than originally thought. Dr K.D. HAMES : Does the member mean in terms of the dust contamination? Mr F.M. Logan : Yes, and the impact on the residents, particularly children. That report came out on Monday. Dr K.D. HAMES : All right. I have not seen anything that shows that there have been significant medical outcomes as a result. But what I do know is that the government is working very hard, and the minister is working very hard, with the company to make sure that those dust problems are solved. We are looking in particular at what is happening with treating—what are they called?—the stacks — Mr R.H. Cook : The kilns. Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, the kilns—that is the term I was looking for—some of which have caused this problem in recent years. As a government, we do need to resolve that, and the minister is working very hard on that. The government has made a commitment to make sure that those problems are resolved. Even if the dust is not causing a medical problem, I have looked at the photographs that the member for Cockburn has provided of the dust. One of those photographs shows a thick layer of dust covering some solar heating panels. It is not acceptable that that should occur, and our government is working very hard to make sure that it is controlled.
Mr F.M. Logan : The latest report says that it could go further—it could get much worse than originally thought. Dr K.D. HAMES : Does the member mean in terms of the dust contamination? Mr F.M. Logan : Yes, and the impact on the residents, particularly children. That report came out on Monday. Dr K.D. HAMES : All right. I have not seen anything that shows that there have been significant medical outcomes as a result. But what I do know is that the government is working very hard, and the minister is working very hard, with the company to make sure that those dust problems are solved. We are looking in particular at what is happening with treating—what are they called?—the stacks — Mr R.H. Cook : The kilns. Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, the kilns—that is the term I was looking for—some of which have caused this problem in recent years. As a government, we do need to resolve that, and the minister is working very hard on that. The government has made a commitment to make sure that those problems are resolved. Even if the dust is not causing a medical problem, I have looked at the photographs that the member for Cockburn has provided of the dust. One of those photographs shows a thick layer of dust covering some solar heating panels. It is not acceptable that that should occur, and our government is working very hard to make sure that it is controlled.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Does the member mean in terms of the dust contamination? Mr F.M. Logan : Yes, and the impact on the residents, particularly children. That report came out on Monday. Dr K.D. HAMES : All right. I have not seen anything that shows that there have been significant medical outcomes as a result. But what I do know is that the government is working very hard, and the minister is working very hard, with the company to make sure that those dust problems are solved. We are looking in particular at what is happening with treating—what are they called?—the stacks — Mr R.H. Cook : The kilns. Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, the kilns—that is the term I was looking for—some of which have caused this problem in recent years. As a government, we do need to resolve that, and the minister is working very hard on that. The government has made a commitment to make sure that those problems are resolved. Even if the dust is not causing a medical problem, I have looked at the photographs that the member for Cockburn has provided of the dust. One of those photographs shows a thick layer of dust covering some solar heating panels. It is not acceptable that that should occur, and our government is working very hard to make sure that it is controlled.
Mr F.M. Logan : Yes, and the impact on the residents, particularly children. That report came out on Monday. Dr K.D. HAMES : All right. I have not seen anything that shows that there have been significant medical outcomes as a result. But what I do know is that the government is working very hard, and the minister is working very hard, with the company to make sure that those dust problems are solved. We are looking in particular at what is happening with treating—what are they called?—the stacks — Mr R.H. Cook : The kilns. Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, the kilns—that is the term I was looking for—some of which have caused this problem in recent years. As a government, we do need to resolve that, and the minister is working very hard on that. The government has made a commitment to make sure that those problems are resolved. Even if the dust is not causing a medical problem, I have looked at the photographs that the member for Cockburn has provided of the dust. One of those photographs shows a thick layer of dust covering some solar heating panels. It is not acceptable that that should occur, and our government is working very hard to make sure that it is controlled.
Dr K.D. HAMES : All right. I have not seen anything that shows that there have been significant medical outcomes as a result. But what I do know is that the government is working very hard, and the minister is working very hard, with the company to make sure that those dust problems are solved. We are looking in particular at what is happening with treating—what are they called?—the stacks — Mr R.H. Cook : The kilns. Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, the kilns—that is the term I was looking for—some of which have caused this problem in recent years. As a government, we do need to resolve that, and the minister is working very hard on that. The government has made a commitment to make sure that those problems are resolved. Even if the dust is not causing a medical problem, I have looked at the photographs that the member for Cockburn has provided of the dust. One of those photographs shows a thick layer of dust covering some solar heating panels. It is not acceptable that that should occur, and our government is working very hard to make sure that it is controlled.
Mr R.H. Cook : The kilns. Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, the kilns—that is the term I was looking for—some of which have caused this problem in recent years. As a government, we do need to resolve that, and the minister is working very hard on that. The government has made a commitment to make sure that those problems are resolved. Even if the dust is not causing a medical problem, I have looked at the photographs that the member for Cockburn has provided of the dust. One of those photographs shows a thick layer of dust covering some solar heating panels. It is not acceptable that that should occur, and our government is working very hard to make sure that it is controlled.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, the kilns—that is the term I was looking for—some of which have caused this problem in recent years. As a government, we do need to resolve that, and the minister is working very hard on that. The government has made a commitment to make sure that those problems are resolved. Even if the dust is not causing a medical problem, I have looked at the photographs that the member for Cockburn has provided of the dust. One of those photographs shows a thick layer of dust covering some solar heating panels. It is not acceptable that that should occur, and our government is working very hard to make sure that it is controlled.
(2) Will the Minister for Health and the Minister for Environment meet with the suffering residents to outline what they will do to cut the dust levels? Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(2) It is actually a very good question. I have been very pleased to work with the member for Cockburn, who raised the issue with us six months ago. We looked at the dust emissions in the area because there were suggestions that local residents were suffering adverse health affects. I was a bit unhappy with the way my department was operating and its assessment of what those dust levels would do. The dust is not generally harmful to health, but it is an irritant and can cause medical problems because of that potential irritation. Good examples of that would be skin irritation causing a dermatitic-type rash or a nasal irritation causing potential nasal bleeding. I told my department to further investigate the claims that have been made about the adverse health impacts on the residents. I worked with the member for Cockburn, who provided some names of people. Obviously we cannot access doctors’ records to see who has been adversely affected and who has not. We do not have access to any of that medical information. Finding the detail of what medical problems were caused did not enable us to say that X number of patients have particular medical conditions as a result of the contamination. That did not eventuate through the process that we followed. Nevertheless, I accept that the level of dust, as an irritant, is not acceptable. The Minister for Environment is responsible for managing the dust levels. We have communicated on this issue and, as I have indicated, from a health point of view, although the contamination cannot cause a serious medical problem, it has the potential to cause minor health problems. As a government — Mr F.M. Logan : The latest report says that it could go further—it could get much worse than originally thought. Dr K.D. HAMES : Does the member mean in terms of the dust contamination? Mr F.M. Logan : Yes, and the impact on the residents, particularly children. That report came out on Monday. Dr K.D. HAMES : All right. I have not seen anything that shows that there have been significant medical outcomes as a result. But what I do know is that the government is working very hard, and the minister is working very hard, with the company to make sure that those dust problems are solved. We are looking in particular at what is happening with treating—what are they called?—the stacks — Mr R.H. Cook : The kilns. Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, the kilns—that is the term I was looking for—some of which have caused this problem in recent years. As a government, we do need to resolve that, and the minister is working very hard on that. The government has made a commitment to make sure that those problems are resolved. Even if the dust is not causing a medical problem, I have looked at the photographs that the member for Cockburn has provided of the dust. One of those photographs shows a thick layer of dust covering some solar heating panels. It is not acceptable that that should occur, and our government is working very hard to make sure that it is controlled.
Dr K.D. HAMES replied: (1)–(2) It is actually a very good question. I have been very pleased to work with the member for Cockburn, who raised the issue with us six months ago. We looked at the dust emissions in the area because there were suggestions that local residents were suffering adverse health affects. I was a bit unhappy with the way my department was operating and its assessment of what those dust levels would do. The dust is not generally harmful to health, but it is an irritant and can cause medical problems because of that potential irritation. Good examples of that would be skin irritation causing a dermatitic-type rash or a nasal irritation causing potential nasal bleeding. I told my department to further investigate the claims that have been made about the adverse health impacts on the residents. I worked with the member for Cockburn, who provided some names of people. Obviously we cannot access doctors’ records to see who has been adversely affected and who has not. We do not have access to any of that medical information. Finding the detail of what medical problems were caused did not enable us to say that X number of patients have particular medical conditions as a result of the contamination. That did not eventuate through the process that we followed. Nevertheless, I accept that the level of dust, as an irritant, is not acceptable. The Minister for Environment is responsible for managing the dust levels. We have communicated on this issue and, as I have indicated, from a health point of view, although the contamination cannot cause a serious medical problem, it has the potential to cause minor health problems. As a government — Mr F.M. Logan : The latest report says that it could go further—it could get much worse than originally thought. Dr K.D. HAMES : Does the member mean in terms of the dust contamination? Mr F.M. Logan : Yes, and the impact on the residents, particularly children. That report came out on Monday. Dr K.D. HAMES : All right. I have not seen anything that shows that there have been significant medical outcomes as a result. But what I do know is that the government is working very hard, and the minister is working very hard, with the company to make sure that those dust problems are solved. We are looking in particular at what is happening with treating—what are they called?—the stacks — Mr R.H. Cook : The kilns. Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, the kilns—that is the term I was looking for—some of which have caused this problem in recent years. As a government, we do need to resolve that, and the minister is working very hard on that. The government has made a commitment to make sure that those problems are resolved. Even if the dust is not causing a medical problem, I have looked at the photographs that the member for Cockburn has provided of the dust. One of those photographs shows a thick layer of dust covering some solar heating panels. It is not acceptable that that should occur, and our government is working very hard to make sure that it is controlled.
(1)–(2) It is actually a very good question. I have been very pleased to work with the member for Cockburn, who raised the issue with us six months ago. We looked at the dust emissions in the area because there were suggestions that local residents were suffering adverse health affects. I was a bit unhappy with the way my department was operating and its assessment of what those dust levels would do. The dust is not generally harmful to health, but it is an irritant and can cause medical problems because of that potential irritation. Good examples of that would be skin irritation causing a dermatitic-type rash or a nasal irritation causing potential nasal bleeding. I told my department to further investigate the claims that have been made about the adverse health impacts on the residents. I worked with the member for Cockburn, who provided some names of people. Obviously we cannot access doctors’ records to see who has been adversely affected and who has not. We do not have access to any of that medical information. Finding the detail of what medical problems were caused did not enable us to say that X number of patients have particular medical conditions as a result of the contamination. That did not eventuate through the process that we followed. Nevertheless, I accept that the level of dust, as an irritant, is not acceptable. The Minister for Environment is responsible for managing the dust levels. We have communicated on this issue and, as I have indicated, from a health point of view, although the contamination cannot cause a serious medical problem, it has the potential to cause minor health problems. As a government — Mr F.M. Logan : The latest report says that it could go further—it could get much worse than originally thought. Dr K.D. HAMES : Does the member mean in terms of the dust contamination? Mr F.M. Logan : Yes, and the impact on the residents, particularly children. That report came out on Monday. Dr K.D. HAMES : All right. I have not seen anything that shows that there have been significant medical outcomes as a result. But what I do know is that the government is working very hard, and the minister is working very hard, with the company to make sure that those dust problems are solved. We are looking in particular at what is happening with treating—what are they called?—the stacks — Mr R.H. Cook : The kilns. Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, the kilns—that is the term I was looking for—some of which have caused this problem in recent years. As a government, we do need to resolve that, and the minister is working very hard on that. The government has made a commitment to make sure that those problems are resolved. Even if the dust is not causing a medical problem, I have looked at the photographs that the member for Cockburn has provided of the dust. One of those photographs shows a thick layer of dust covering some solar heating panels. It is not acceptable that that should occur, and our government is working very hard to make sure that it is controlled.
Mr F.M. Logan : The latest report says that it could go further—it could get much worse than originally thought. Dr K.D. HAMES : Does the member mean in terms of the dust contamination? Mr F.M. Logan : Yes, and the impact on the residents, particularly children. That report came out on Monday. Dr K.D. HAMES : All right. I have not seen anything that shows that there have been significant medical outcomes as a result. But what I do know is that the government is working very hard, and the minister is working very hard, with the company to make sure that those dust problems are solved. We are looking in particular at what is happening with treating—what are they called?—the stacks — Mr R.H. Cook : The kilns. Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, the kilns—that is the term I was looking for—some of which have caused this problem in recent years. As a government, we do need to resolve that, and the minister is working very hard on that. The government has made a commitment to make sure that those problems are resolved. Even if the dust is not causing a medical problem, I have looked at the photographs that the member for Cockburn has provided of the dust. One of those photographs shows a thick layer of dust covering some solar heating panels. It is not acceptable that that should occur, and our government is working very hard to make sure that it is controlled.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Does the member mean in terms of the dust contamination? Mr F.M. Logan : Yes, and the impact on the residents, particularly children. That report came out on Monday. Dr K.D. HAMES : All right. I have not seen anything that shows that there have been significant medical outcomes as a result. But what I do know is that the government is working very hard, and the minister is working very hard, with the company to make sure that those dust problems are solved. We are looking in particular at what is happening with treating—what are they called?—the stacks — Mr R.H. Cook : The kilns. Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, the kilns—that is the term I was looking for—some of which have caused this problem in recent years. As a government, we do need to resolve that, and the minister is working very hard on that. The government has made a commitment to make sure that those problems are resolved. Even if the dust is not causing a medical problem, I have looked at the photographs that the member for Cockburn has provided of the dust. One of those photographs shows a thick layer of dust covering some solar heating panels. It is not acceptable that that should occur, and our government is working very hard to make sure that it is controlled.
Mr F.M. Logan : Yes, and the impact on the residents, particularly children. That report came out on Monday. Dr K.D. HAMES : All right. I have not seen anything that shows that there have been significant medical outcomes as a result. But what I do know is that the government is working very hard, and the minister is working very hard, with the company to make sure that those dust problems are solved. We are looking in particular at what is happening with treating—what are they called?—the stacks — Mr R.H. Cook : The kilns. Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, the kilns—that is the term I was looking for—some of which have caused this problem in recent years. As a government, we do need to resolve that, and the minister is working very hard on that. The government has made a commitment to make sure that those problems are resolved. Even if the dust is not causing a medical problem, I have looked at the photographs that the member for Cockburn has provided of the dust. One of those photographs shows a thick layer of dust covering some solar heating panels. It is not acceptable that that should occur, and our government is working very hard to make sure that it is controlled.
Dr K.D. HAMES : All right. I have not seen anything that shows that there have been significant medical outcomes as a result. But what I do know is that the government is working very hard, and the minister is working very hard, with the company to make sure that those dust problems are solved. We are looking in particular at what is happening with treating—what are they called?—the stacks — Mr R.H. Cook : The kilns. Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, the kilns—that is the term I was looking for—some of which have caused this problem in recent years. As a government, we do need to resolve that, and the minister is working very hard on that. The government has made a commitment to make sure that those problems are resolved. Even if the dust is not causing a medical problem, I have looked at the photographs that the member for Cockburn has provided of the dust. One of those photographs shows a thick layer of dust covering some solar heating panels. It is not acceptable that that should occur, and our government is working very hard to make sure that it is controlled.
Mr R.H. Cook : The kilns. Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, the kilns—that is the term I was looking for—some of which have caused this problem in recent years. As a government, we do need to resolve that, and the minister is working very hard on that. The government has made a commitment to make sure that those problems are resolved. Even if the dust is not causing a medical problem, I have looked at the photographs that the member for Cockburn has provided of the dust. One of those photographs shows a thick layer of dust covering some solar heating panels. It is not acceptable that that should occur, and our government is working very hard to make sure that it is controlled.
Dr K.D. HAMES : Yes, the kilns—that is the term I was looking for—some of which have caused this problem in recent years. As a government, we do need to resolve that, and the minister is working very hard on that. The government has made a commitment to make sure that those problems are resolved. Even if the dust is not causing a medical problem, I have looked at the photographs that the member for Cockburn has provided of the dust. One of those photographs shows a thick layer of dust covering some solar heating panels. It is not acceptable that that should occur, and our government is working very hard to make sure that it is controlled.
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