Blood testing not recommended

Blood testing for people living in water contamination zones is going ahead despite the Ministry of Health saying individual testing is not recommended.

Although testing can reveal the level of toxic compounds in a person’s blood, it cannot shed light on what levels of toxicity were already there, whether this had increased recently or the cause of any increase.

The compounds, known as PFAS, were used in firefighting foam and have contaminated some drinking water near the Ohakea and Woodbourne Defence Force bases in Manawatu¯ and Marlborough, respectively, sparking health fears.

Four people have had their blood tested by Assurequality so far, Ministry of Health director of public health Dr Caroline Mcelnay said.

‘‘All New Zealanders are expected to have some measurable PFAS in their blood given the widespread use of [the chemical] since the 1950s.’’

Individual blood testing was not recommended because Mcelnay said it could not give a likely cause for a current health condition.

The type of foam, which is used mostly in training to fight fuel fires, was banned in New Zealand in 2006 because it contains harmful chemicals.

Health support was being offered to people who lived in a household in the vicinity of the Ohakea or Woodbourne bases whose drinking-water source exceeded accepted guidelines for the toxic compound.

Mcelnay said the best way to avoid long-term exposure to the chemical was to limit their use in New Zealand.

Horizons Regional Council science and innovation manager Abby Matthews said at an environment committee meeting on Tuesday that the chemical was used in a variety of products, including non-stick cookware, some moisturisers and takeaway food wrappers and could be found in a variety of places.

Herbicide Spray

The Marlborough District Council has advised property owners adjoining later¯this month. The warning applies the Opaoa River loop [formerly Opawa River] not to use river water for two days from April 24, as the council carries out annual weed maintenance. The herbicide Reglone will be applied on the loop. ‘‘All reasonable precautions should be taken to ensure pets and domestic animals do not drink from this water for at least 48 hours following spray application,’’ the council said. Water levels may also change within the loop due to control gate operations, the council said.

Picton Library

The construction fences around Picton Library are coming down as contractors complete paving around the ‘state-of-the-art’ library. With the paving completed, access to the High St car parking is available. Parking at the rear of the library is almost complete.

Shakespeare Festival

Students from the colleges in Marlborough will go on to perform at the National University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival in Wellington after successful performances in the regional Shakespeare competition on Saturday. Students from Marlborough Boys’, Marlborough Girls’ and Queen Charlotte Colleges took to the stage to perform scenes from Twelfth Night, a Midsummer Nights’ Dream, The Tempest and Taming of the Shrew in front of a ‘‘supportive’’ audience at the weekend. Some students from the girls’ college and boys’ college were successful in their performances and the students will go on to represent Marlborough in the national competition in June.

Project Awards

A five star hotel has been accepted into the prestigious New Zealand Commercial Project Awards, which are run by the Registered Master Builders Association. Chateau Marlborough’s significant expansion project which consisted of an additional 36 suites in a three-story building attached to the existing hotel, and new bar and restaurant was entered by Scott Construction Limited. The hotel has a high architectural finish with very high specifications and standards of workmanship. A state of the art facility for Plant and Food Research at Port Nelson was also entered by the Blenheim company.

Long Term Plan

Marlborough District Council has adopted the Consultation Document relating to its 2018-28 Long Term Plan. Mayor John Leggett says the plan seeks to address three key priorities for Marlborough - looking after the environment, investing in economic development, and building and maintaining infrastructure. Provision of future funding for the Marlborough Kaikoura coastal trail, a new Blenheim library and art gallery are included. ‘‘Rates’ increases could be a bit higher than in previous years,’’ said Leggett. Public submissions are invited by 5pm, Monday, May 14.