No investigation took place ...

In the media lately there are interesting and repeated references to the Aust. Drinking Water Guideline level of 0.5 parts per billion.

I'm reading that any level of contamination above this level requires further 'investigation'.

But the levels of Simazine at West Calder in 1997 were 7 parts per billion (with original levels unknown).

Similar levels were found that year when a creek at Franklin was oversprayed, and so on.

NO investigation took place by the Dept of Environment (under the then Liberal Govt).

The same staff at DPIWE were aware of the excessive levels of rainwater contamination but still no investigation nor risk assessment was carried out - TO THIS DAY.

However DPIWE continued to allow aerial spraying to be done at heights (100 feet or more) where drift is totally unconstrained. The APVMA draft 'Spray Drift' document makes this clear.

Still we hear this same Department reassuring the public that a helicopter spraying well above the treetops will come up with a magical formula that limits its drift to the industry-defined 'buffer' zones found in the spraying codes of practice - 100 metres from your residence and 10 metres from your household dam.

Well, DPIWE and Minister Kons, you've haughtily (and inaccurately) claimed that the Scammell Report lacks scientific credibility. Let's see the science behind the pathetic dimensions of your zapped up buffer zones!

See:
http://www.examiner.com.au/print.asp?id=254139
"Department of Primary Industries Water and Environment tests found water samples from the Carpenters' drinking water contained 0.72 parts per billion of atrazine and told the couple not to drink the water.

The level was 0.22 parts per billion above the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines but one-thirtieth of the safe levels set by the National Health and Medical Research Council..."

Earlier:

Remember Brenda (1997)... aerial spraying ...
tasmaniantimes.com published this Tasmanian's account of forestry and its spray cocktails way back in January ... A CRY FROM THE HEART

RAPID RESPONSE EMAIL: What do you think?
If you bounce, tuffinlindsay@hotmail.com

Sunday, October 3, 2004

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