NSW residents exposed to dangerous fumes

SYDNEY (AAP) - Residents in Newcastle in NSW were not told about their exposure to a carcinogenic chemical until days after its escape from a nearby Orica plant.
Plumes of hexavalent chromium - the chemical that Erin Brockovich campaigned against in the US - wafted past 70 homes on Monday for half an hour from about 6.15pm (AEST).
But residents in the nearby beachside suburb of Stockton were not immediately told about their exposure to emissions from the Orica ammonium nitrate production facility at Kooragang Island.
As well, up to 20 workers at the Orica mining explosives plant were exposed during Monday's incident.
NSW Health chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said on Thursday that hexavalent chromium had the potential to cause skin irritations and respiratory problems, and cancer if the exposure was long term.
"In longer term settings, particularly occupational settings, where there's a high level of exposure it has been associated with increased risk of cancer, particularly lung cancer," Dr Chant told reporters in Sydney.
Orica said it was investigating the incident and will take steps to minimise "any harm experienced by the community".
"Orica deeply regrets this incident and we remain committed to the health and safety of our personnel and our neighbours," it said in a statement.
The Office of Environment and Heritage says it was not notified until 10.30am on Tuesday, even though there was an emergency shutdown at the plant the night before.
Orica did not tell NSW Health until 11.30am on Wednesday.
By law, companies have to notify the government within 24 hours of an incident.
While Orica technically complied with that requirement by contacting the environment office, its director of specialised regulation Craig Lamberton said he was disappointed it did not inform the government earlier.
"We would have preferred to have known the night before ... then we would have been much better prepared," he said.
But Mr Lamberton said initial advice from Orica had not suggested there was problem that needed investigating.
"It was a plant failure when we were initially advised. They didn't believe there was any off-site impact," he said.
"It turned out to be more than a plant failure."
A Newcastle-based organiser with the Electrical Trades Union, Adam Wardrope, said Orica did not sound an alarm to warn workers about the "blow-out".
He told AAP that Orica management were unable to determine which chemicals had escaped until about 8.30am on Tuesday.
Newcastle Lord Mayor John Tate said Orica's delay in informing the government was "unacceptable" and called for an inquiry.
"If it's a carcinogenic material, people should have been notified immediately," he told AAP.
"They're families living there, for goodness sake, there are kids.
"This is going to frighten a lot of people. How can it happen?"
The plant had come on line on Monday after being shut down for some months for maintenance.
So far, there have been no reports of illness.
NSW Environment Minister Robyn Parker told parliament the plant would not restart until Orica could demonstrate it was safe to operate.
The Office of Environment and Heritage has taken samples from Stockton to conduct toxicology tests, while NSW Health has sent health officers to the area.
Dr Chant said government letterbox drop would be carried out on Thursday night once Orica had given the department more information.
Orica said it had begun a door-knock of residents on Wednesday and that continued on Thursday.
Orica has set up a phone number for concerned residents to call: 4908 9300.