Kiln modified to ensure safety

Whirinaki Mill

Toxic gas from a troubled new kiln at Pan Pac's Whirinaki Mill may have exceeded safety guidelines but is not believed to have caused any health problems.

The findings come from studies on the $2.5 million kiln, shut down since April for all but testing purposes after concerns about risks to workers and neighbours of the mill north of Napier.

Managing director Doug Ducker says safety comes first and the kiln won't be fully commissioned until all issues are resolved.

Regional council and District Health Board staff started investigating after worker representatives raised health concerns last November.

DHB public health specialist Nicholas Jones said yesterday: "A definitive link between reported health effects and operation of the kiln has not been established. Air emission tests and computer model results show levels of air pollutants are well below recommended guidelines when the burner is operating normally."

But tests "suggest" levels of acrolein and acetic acid could exceed air quality guidelines at properties within Whirinaki if a burner used to eliminate noxious gases stops working during kiln operation, Dr Jones said.

He conceded it was "possible" acrolein had exceeded guideline values during the last six hours of normal operations when steam was added to the kiln.

The DHB "understands" the company is modifying the process to address the concerns, and will operate the burner at all stages of the operation.

The Thermally Modified Timber (TMT) kiln, introduced to take advantage of new export market demands, is currently allowed to operate only for testing.

Last night Mr Ducker said: "Safety is always at the forefront. Commercial operation is not our focus at present. It's an issue of making it run safely for the staff and our neighbours."

The kiln has been on site for 18 months, but the discovery of "engineering issues" meant no timber has been processed in the kiln since April, Mr Ducker told residents.

A four-day test cycle started at the weekend. It was monitored by representatives of Government agency WorkSafe, trade unions and an independent testing company.

HBRC manager resource use Wayne Wright said "no known" emissions had occurred in breach of Pan Pac's resource consent. But he said all odour issues should be reported via a 24-hour hotline, 0800 108838, and any environmental health issues should be reported the the Public Health Unit.