Fuming over port’s use of fumigant
Anna Mcgeorge was shocked to hear that almost three tonnes of the gas she blames for her father’s death were released into Wellington’s air last year.
Centreport and Greater Wellington Regional Council agreed that methyl bromide used on the wharves to fumigate logs and other cargo would be fully recaptured by the end of 2013.
However, last year 2700kg was released to the atmosphere when a ship’s holds were fumigated.
That information came to light when Green Party MP Steffan Browning obtained a copy of Centreport’s annual report on methyl bromide use for 2015.
‘‘I couldn’t believe Mcgeorge said.
‘‘My understanding was that recapture technology was going to be used from there on in, and that issue had been dealt with.
‘‘My understanding was that recapture meant recapture.’’
Mcgeorge’s father, Rick Graham, it,’’ died of motor neurone disease in 2007.
The retired insurance agent had inspected imported vehicles at Wellington’s port for five years, where he was exposed to methyl bromide.
Some believe there is a link between exposure and the debilitating fatal illness and people who are exposed to it have a slightly higher rate.
Normally only two in 100,000 people are affected by the illness, but six cases among Nelson port workers between 2002 and 2006 rang alarm bells.
A report in the New Zealand Medical Journal by toxicologist Ian Shaw suggested that methyl bromide exposure could make some genetically susceptible people more vulnerable to attack by free-radical chemicals.
However, very small numbers make it difficult to tell if there is a correlation.
Methyl bromide is also an ozone depleting chemical and New Zealand aims to meet its obligation under the Montreal Protocol to stop releasing it by 2020.
Centreport chief executive Derek Nind told Browning that all methyl bromide used at the port was recaptured except for fumigation of ships’ holds, where it was not possible.
One in-hold fumigation was needed in the last 12 months for an out-bound ship for pest control.
Fumigation was mandated by the Government and carried out by contractors, who are monitored and regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Centreport was working with the Stakeholders in Methyl Bromide Reduction group towards finding alternatives.
Mcgeorge said she wanted the council and the port to stick to their word and either completely contain the gas or stop using it altogether.
‘‘If methyl bromide is the best fumigant to use, then they need to use it, but they need to recapture,’’ she said. ‘‘I’m not against the use but I am against the gas escaping and harming people.’’
Browning said he wanted Greater Wellington and Centreport to put in ink that they will not be fumigating ships’ holds any more.
‘‘We realise that if it has to be fumigated, it has to be fumigated. There is no question about that.
‘‘It’s a question of where and of how.’’ - Fairfax NZ