Surprise - Surprise...
As the Australia reports here today: “THE world's most respected risk assessment firm last night directly contradicted West Australian government claims that it had vouched for the integrity of the gas pipeline that exploded in June, blowing a multi-billion-dollar hole in the state economy.
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In an extraordinary statement out of Hong Kong, Lloyd's Register rebuffed Deputy Premier Eric Ripper's claim on Tuesday that the firm had "thoroughly tested and reviewed' equipment on Apache Energy's Varanus Island -- the site of the June 3 pipeline explosion that has already cost the state $2.4 billion.
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Lloyd's unexpected statement strengthens allegations, backed by Freedom of Information documents, of departmental incompetence in dealing with longstanding concerns about the pipeline".
As I blogged here I am sure there is more info to come on this - probably another good reason for calling an early State election.
Now our Premier has called for calm. Still looks to me like just another cover-up job.
For more info see:
Premier full of hot air over gas crisis
Pipeline gas blast warnings ignored
Gas blast pipeline 'not thoroughly tested'
WA gas worker: Fark, we ran for our lives
Thursday, 14 August 2008
Monday, 4 August 2008
Sticks and Stones
While I was crook – I received anonymous comments on the blog, I don’t intend publishing these comments in full because they are basically abusive, and defamantory, but to give you an idea of what one has to put up with when speaking out against injustice in Kwinana, here is a run down:
“Without industry you would not have the fuel for your car, the plastic for your computer and the paint for everything amoungst some basic things. I find it deplorable that you need to cast so much dispersion on the industries that provide you with everything you use on a daily basis, especially when you DO NOT have the information, or do not quote any scientific data to make these assumptions.”
“As i have said, every one, include you Stevo, are dependant on the industires to provide basic materials for daily life. I am sure if you succedd in closing or causing immense pain to one of these industires and it results in price rise for items, you would be the first to winge to the government about how they should of stopped it from happening and how people can now not afford things because we have to get it from somewhere else and it now costs double.”
“Your blog is full of half truths that justify your complaints and do not in any way aid the environmental movement in any way what so ever”
“I deliberately searched out your blog as your name is prominant in the enviromental area, but i have since discovered that you appear to be, in my opinion, an lifeless man who wants to winge about every damn thing you can think of yet still depend on the thing industry provides you.”
“Oh Stevo, I do care, I am all for abiding by rules, but i am finding that your blog is full of assumptions and winges. You can live in a residential area without illegal noise. Didn't you realise that the industry was allready in your back yard when you were growing up? Kwinana was build to house the builders of the strip and now you complain about it? Move if you do not like the noise. No one is forcing you to stay.”
“Steve, you need to post my replies. Where are they??”
“Steve, where are my replies? Proof you only print what proofs your point.Round one to me, even though you are too scared to show it to all of your loyal followers. How does it go....NOT... “
“Steve you are a biased greeny. Why do you not print my replies?? “
“You spinless fuck. Your blog is full of lies and biased bullshit. You are too spinless to even post retorts. No one appears to read your blog based on the number of comments, and it seems you lied about cancer rates in Kwinana”
Normally I would ignore this, but decided to post these comments to give readers an idea of what anyone who speaks out against environmental injustice in Kwinana is up against. I won’t even waste my time and energy responding to some of the acusations because I am sure that most readers out there realise what is going on.
“Without industry you would not have the fuel for your car, the plastic for your computer and the paint for everything amoungst some basic things. I find it deplorable that you need to cast so much dispersion on the industries that provide you with everything you use on a daily basis, especially when you DO NOT have the information, or do not quote any scientific data to make these assumptions.”
“As i have said, every one, include you Stevo, are dependant on the industires to provide basic materials for daily life. I am sure if you succedd in closing or causing immense pain to one of these industires and it results in price rise for items, you would be the first to winge to the government about how they should of stopped it from happening and how people can now not afford things because we have to get it from somewhere else and it now costs double.”
“Your blog is full of half truths that justify your complaints and do not in any way aid the environmental movement in any way what so ever”
“I deliberately searched out your blog as your name is prominant in the enviromental area, but i have since discovered that you appear to be, in my opinion, an lifeless man who wants to winge about every damn thing you can think of yet still depend on the thing industry provides you.”
“Oh Stevo, I do care, I am all for abiding by rules, but i am finding that your blog is full of assumptions and winges. You can live in a residential area without illegal noise. Didn't you realise that the industry was allready in your back yard when you were growing up? Kwinana was build to house the builders of the strip and now you complain about it? Move if you do not like the noise. No one is forcing you to stay.”
“Steve, you need to post my replies. Where are they??”
“Steve, where are my replies? Proof you only print what proofs your point.Round one to me, even though you are too scared to show it to all of your loyal followers. How does it go....NOT... “
“Steve you are a biased greeny. Why do you not print my replies?? “
“You spinless fuck. Your blog is full of lies and biased bullshit. You are too spinless to even post retorts. No one appears to read your blog based on the number of comments, and it seems you lied about cancer rates in Kwinana”
Normally I would ignore this, but decided to post these comments to give readers an idea of what anyone who speaks out against environmental injustice in Kwinana is up against. I won’t even waste my time and energy responding to some of the acusations because I am sure that most readers out there realise what is going on.
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
Bird Deaths Continue
Mass Seagull Deaths along the Kwinana Industrial Strip continued today with reports that around 34 more silver gulls were found dead. Bringing the total bird deaths in the area to around 200.
Pollution has been highlighted as the likely source of the problem. See the latest media report and yesterday's reports on Perthnow, in the West and the Australian.
The Health Department has not yet become involved because the cause of deaths is still unknown the risk to public health is unknown.
As was found in Esperance surely these birds are our first warning sign?
Having done a bit of lab work, I am at a loss to explain why the authorities are claiming that it could be 2 weeks before results are available. Maybe someone can enlighten me why it takes so long to do tests for known pollutants?
It seems all we can do is wait for the results to come back - it has been suggested by some that we may also then have to wait for the Government to consult those responsible and come up with a PR plan, I would hope this is not the case.
So again let's wait and see and in the mean time hope that communities aren't also being poisoned.
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Update: Thanks to Dave for reminding me of the In My Community link for good coverage of the story here.
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Tonight’s Best of the Worst
Tiwest are in fine form again tonight with two visible out of the ordinary plumes, one from the emergency stack around 7pm - suspected Titanium Tetrachloride and the biggest from the finishing building stack suspected Titanium Dioxide (Ti02) which has been listed as an IARC-2B carcinogen.
Emissions like this from Tiwest have become an all to common occurrence of late, so what is actually going on at Tiwest?
Runners up:–
BP for its highly visible particulate plume from the cat cracker stack – what happened to the filter that BP won the awards for?
Wesfarmers CSBP for its highly visible ammonium nitrate plume that has become the norm but never should have done had our so called protectors not continued to ignore our concerns.
All this from our "Green and Clean" Kwinana Industry.
Emissions like this from Tiwest have become an all to common occurrence of late, so what is actually going on at Tiwest?
Runners up:–
BP for its highly visible particulate plume from the cat cracker stack – what happened to the filter that BP won the awards for?
Wesfarmers CSBP for its highly visible ammonium nitrate plume that has become the norm but never should have done had our so called protectors not continued to ignore our concerns.
All this from our "Green and Clean" Kwinana Industry.
Mystery of mass seagull deaths along Kwinana Industrial Strip
It gives some of us a sick feeling when we hear of the mass silver gull deaths, could this turn into another Esperance? Let’s hope not!
More coverage tonight on channel 9 and 10 news.
As this story shows, since Staurday over 140 seagulls have been found dead around the Woodmans Point area from adjacent to Cockburn Cement's shell sand washing facility to the Ship Building yards.
The DEC seem to have responded quickly and efficiently, however the deaths of the birds at this time remains a mystery. The birds that have been analysed so far have had empty stomach’s likely to indicate a strong poison a day or so before they died and they have not been able to eat since.
For now we have to keep an open mind on this and just wait for the DEC's analytical results to determine the cause of deaths.
So let's wait and see. Hopefully we will learn more soon.
More coverage tonight on channel 9 and 10 news.
As this story shows, since Staurday over 140 seagulls have been found dead around the Woodmans Point area from adjacent to Cockburn Cement's shell sand washing facility to the Ship Building yards.
The DEC seem to have responded quickly and efficiently, however the deaths of the birds at this time remains a mystery. The birds that have been analysed so far have had empty stomach’s likely to indicate a strong poison a day or so before they died and they have not been able to eat since.
No other reports of for example fish deaths have been heard.
People will now be even more nervous about Lead previously shipped through Esperance coming through Fremantle and eventually the new Kwinana port.For now we have to keep an open mind on this and just wait for the DEC's analytical results to determine the cause of deaths.
So let's wait and see. Hopefully we will learn more soon.
Monday, 21 July 2008
Micro materials could pose major health risks
Further concern has been expressed over the potential dangers posed by the rapidly expanding number of products containing nanomaterials.
The warning comes from the Council of Canadian Academies in one of the most authoritative reports to date about the risks of engineered nanomaterials, which companies are adding to products ranging from sunscreens to diesel fuels.
The Council cautions that the tiny substances might be able to penetrate cells and interfere with biological processes. The Council, which was asked by Health Canada and several other federal agencies to study the state of knowledge about nanomaterials and the regulatory changes needed to oversee their use, concluded that "there is inadequate data to inform quantitative risk assessments on current and emerging nanomaterials." Their small size, the report says, may allow them "to usurp traditional biological protective mechanisms" and, as a result, possibly have "enhanced toxicological effects."
Report from Globe and mail
Council of Canadian Academies
PDF - The potential risks of nanomaterials
Thanks to NTN
The warning comes from the Council of Canadian Academies in one of the most authoritative reports to date about the risks of engineered nanomaterials, which companies are adding to products ranging from sunscreens to diesel fuels.
The Council cautions that the tiny substances might be able to penetrate cells and interfere with biological processes. The Council, which was asked by Health Canada and several other federal agencies to study the state of knowledge about nanomaterials and the regulatory changes needed to oversee their use, concluded that "there is inadequate data to inform quantitative risk assessments on current and emerging nanomaterials." Their small size, the report says, may allow them "to usurp traditional biological protective mechanisms" and, as a result, possibly have "enhanced toxicological effects."
Report from Globe and mail
Council of Canadian Academies
PDF - The potential risks of nanomaterials
Thanks to NTN
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