A WA parliamentary question addresses environmental concerns regarding the Global Olivine project in Gosnells, specifically regarding waste handling, DEP approvals, and health risk assessments. The answer provides details on the assessment process and methodologies used.

AnsweredQoN 223Legislative Council
Asked
18 September 2001
Portfolio
the Environment and Heritage

QuestionView source ↗

In relation to the continual change in the Global Olivine project proposed for the Gosnells area -
(1) Will it require a new DEP approval to handle products and industry waste such as red mud and Tiwest radioactive waste?
(2) Who at DEP has assessed the project and have all DEP approvals been given?
(3) Has an environmental health risk assessment been done and if so what were the parameters and methodology of the study?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
6 November 2001
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Response time
49 days
1) The assessed proposal does not include the processing of radioactive waste from industry. 2) The proposal was assessed by the Environmental Protection Authority under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . The proponent is also required to obtain a 'works approval' to construct the plant and a 'licence' to operate the plant from the Department of Environmental Protection. 3) A health risk assessment was undertaken for heavy metals, dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The methodology used was a multi-pathway exposure assessment which follows the 1998 United States Environmental Protection Agency peer review draft 'Human Health Risk Assessment Protocol for Hazardous Waste Combustion Facilities'. The Health Department of W.A. advised that the approach adopted for the health risk assessment can be considered valid.
2) The proposal was assessed by the Environmental Protection Authority under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 . The proponent is also required to obtain a 'works approval' to construct the plant and a 'licence' to operate the plant from the Department of Environmental Protection. 3) A health risk assessment was undertaken for heavy metals, dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The methodology used was a multi-pathway exposure assessment which follows the 1998 United States Environmental Protection Agency peer review draft 'Human Health Risk Assessment Protocol for Hazardous Waste Combustion Facilities'. The Health Department of W.A. advised that the approach adopted for the health risk assessment can be considered valid.
3) A health risk assessment was undertaken for heavy metals, dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The methodology used was a multi-pathway exposure assessment which follows the 1998 United States Environmental Protection Agency peer review draft 'Human Health Risk Assessment Protocol for Hazardous Waste Combustion Facilities'. The Health Department of W.A. advised that the approach adopted for the health risk assessment can be considered valid.

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