Air Pollution monitoring questioned

Wonders will never cease, how did a company accused of doctoring lab reports in NSW get a contract to adjust pollution monitors at WA's most controlversial industrial plant, Wagerup? The Department of Environment and Conservation (surprise, surprise) have pleaded ignorance. The Sunday Times pointed out that the company New Environmental Quality was under investigation in NSW for allegedly downplaying emission test results.

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NSW is the state that WA on occassion have approached for information and guidence. By Alcoa's own admission in regard to monitoring have fudged the figures here in WA, this is why we believe there should be independant monitoring. Why place the wolf in the chicken house, where is the duty of care?

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.New EQ last year was contracted to calibrate and ensure the proper functioning of pollution monitoring equipment at the Wagerup refinery's power station between September 24 to October 27. The Wagerup refinery has been in the spot light due to health complaints from nearby residents , who say their health problems are associated with environmental pollution.

In NSW New EQ is being investigated after levels of toxic chemicals, such as arsenic were lowered in reports prepared in July 2006 for the Blue Circle Southern Cement factory in Berrima. BSCS agreed it has asked for changes to the report to be conducted, but had insisted the process was transparent. The NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change wrote in August 2007 that as a result of the changes, it had little confidence in monitoring reports prepared by NewEQ for the Berrima plant.

A nearby resident to Wagerup Mr Llewellyn, was alarmed that NewEQ was engaged at Wagerup to operate. He found it extraordinary this company would be allowed to operate in WA when it's under investigation. He also believes if there is any doubt about the integrity of the companies that have calibrated the machines, then equipment needs to be reviewed by an independant party. The cement company have since lost their license, it's time for the WA environmental minister to redo the monitoring at Wagerup for the safety of the people.

.Now that these points have been raised with NATA they have now claimed NewEQ's indiscretions took place prior to accreditation which was in February 2006.They are claiming that NATA has received no information to date that suggests that the company was carrying out fraudulent activity while being a NATA member. The allegedly doctored reports are dated May 23, 2006, and questions tabled in NSW Parliament on November 29, 2007 revealed the NSW environment department had informed NATA of it's NewEQ investigation.

The questions remain is this a company that should be doing monitoring in this state, and were they under investigation at the time of carrying out monitoring at Wagerup power station?