FAQs Southdown freezing works fire
What happened?
On Saturday 20 December Auckland Regional Public Health Services (ARPHS) was notified that a fire had broken out in the former Southdown freezing works in Penrose.
What are the health risks for the public?
There is a minimal risk primarily from people inhaling smoke, dust and other small particles which might lead to breathing (respiratory) problems. People may notice a cough and sore throat, or worsening of lung or breathing problems (e.g. asthma or bronchitis). However we have received no reports of anyone being affected by the smoke, and doctors we have spoken to at both Auckland City and Middlemore Hospitals’ emergency departments haven’t noticed any increase in respiratory admissions in the 4 days since the fire started.
Is there asbestos involved?
Asbestos is known to be present in building materials on the site of the former Southdown freezing works. Testing is continuing to determine possible risks to the public but to date no asbestos has been detected in any air and dust samples taken from the surrounding areas.
Are there any other risks?
When fires have occurred in the past most health problems associated with them have tended to be respiratory (such as worsening of asthma) or eye related (such as irritation from smoke). The risks from a one-off short term exposure to asbestos are very low (risks in occupational situations are calculated on years of daily exposure). There is no medical test or treatment for asbestos inhalation. However, we can test whether asbestos has been released into the environment. To date no asbestos has been detected in any air or dust samples taken from the surrounding areas.
What is in the smoke?
Approximately twenty businesses were using these premises and the make-up of smoke from fires depends on what is being burnt. Currently it is not known what materials were onsite. Smoke contains many lung irritants. So we are advising people to take certain steps to reduce their risk. Refer to our advice below.
Who is most at risk?
Those most at risk from smoke inhalation are people involved in directly fighting the fire (such as fire fighters). Certain groups of people are also more at risk when there is smoke in the air. These include people with existing respiratory problems (e.g. asthma, bronchitis or other breathing problems), the elderly, or those people with poor health in general.
Has anyone’s health been badly affected?
We have not had any reports of people being adversely affected by the smoke and doctors we have spoken to at Auckland City and Middlemore Hospitals’ emergency departments haven’t noticed any increase in respiratory admissions, or any admissions related to the fire since it started. However, we do advise people seek medical attention if they think their health has been affected.
How can we protect ourselves?
People near the site or downwind from the site can take precautions to reduce their risk such as staying away from the site, closing windows and doors, remaining inside, and seeking medical attention if they experience new breathing problems, a worsening of existing breathing problems, or if they feel their health has been affected in any way. If you have to clean up any material from the fire, damp it down first with a hose, wear gloves, and place it in a sealed plastic bag and then in another sealed plastic bag for disposal with other household waste.
What else can we do if we live in an affected area?
As a precaution householders in the vicinity of the fire should clean away any residue from the smoke by doing the following:
- Wear gloves when cleaning up.
- Damp down outside horizontal surfaces with a hose
- Wipe internal windowsills with a damp cloth.
- If carpet has been affected, wipe it down with a damp cloth instead of vacuuming
- Dispose of any cloths/materials used in cleaning up in a sealed plastic bag and then in another sealed plastic bag for disposal with other household waste
- Wash your hands and any dusty clothes well afterwards.
- Rewash any clothes that smell of smoke from being on an outside clothesline.
How do you know whether it is safe or not to go outside?
If you are currently in an affected area (close to the site or downwind of the smoke), and smoke is in the air, it is better to stay away from the site, close windows and doors, remain inside, and seek medical attention if you experience new breathing problems, a worsening of existing breathing problems, or if you feel your health has been affected in any way.
Isn’t asbestos very harmful?
Asbestos is most harmful if there is prolonged exposure in confined conditions over a long period of time (years), or if people smoke. While we cannot say there is no risk at all, a one-off event such as this has minimal risks for individuals in the community. To date no asbestos has been detected in any air or dust samples taken from the surrounding areas.
Can asbestos cause cancer?
Asbestos is associated with asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma – which are generally associated with long term exposure over many months to years and symptoms take 10-20 years to develop. While we cannot say there is no risk, a one off event such as this has minimal risks for individuals in the community. To date no asbestos has been detected in any air or dust samples taken from the surrounding areas.
When will it be safe to go near the site?
Currently it is not safe to go near the site and we advise people to stay away. Cleaning up the immediate area may take quite a long time and we do not yet know when it will be safe to return to nearby buildings. Employers are responsible for workplace safety, and the Department of Labour is responsible for administering the Health and Safety in Employment Act. Auckland City Council is the regulatory agency dealing with this contaminated site...
How long will the risk last?
Most immediate risks are associated with breathing in smoke. However, there may be some ongoing risks from breathing in dust from the fire and we are continuing environmental risk monitoring until the fire is extinguished. The owner will be responsible for safe clean up of the site under the guidance of regulatory agencies.
General Advice:
- Those near the site or downwind from the site can take precautions to reduce their risk such as keeping away from the immediate area, closing windows and doors, remaining inside, and seeking medical attention if they experience new breathing problems, a worsening of existing breathing problems, or if they feel their health has been affected in any other way.
- The public should not visit the site to ‘have a look’.
- Asbestos is known to be present in building materials on the site of the former Southdown Freezing Works. Anyone directly associated with (or close to) the site such as fire fighters, should use extra care and keep out of the smoke if possible, or use adequate personal protection such as respirators (your employer or the Department of Labour is responsible for advising on occupational hazards).
