FRIDAY,
10 NOVEMBER 2006: Due to the fuel spillage incident
from OR Tambo that took place on Tuesday, 7 November
2006 and contaminated the Blaauwpan Pan, Bonero
Park, Ekurhuleni, it has become necessary to inform
the public of key facts regarding the response
to the incident and impacts on local residents.
The product spilled is aircraft
fuel, currently estimated at around 1 million
litres. Clean-up is taking place around the clock
and the spread of the spill has been fully contained.
The outlet from the dam has been sealed off since
Tuesday, 7 November 2006, and will not be reopened
until authorities are satisfied with the water
quality.
Rapid Spill Response teams have
been pumping off fuel since Tuesday, 7 November
2006. In addition, an organic peat absorbent is
used to absorb spilled fuel. The absorption product
contains no chemicals, and poses no risk at all.
The absorbed waste product will be removed from
the spill site to an authorised disposal site.
The fuel spilled gives off certain
vapours with a strong odour, including toluene
and xylene. Authorities are monitoring the levels
of these vapours on an ongoing basis.
Whilst levels of these chemicals
are higher than normal, authorities are satisfied
that the levels are well within safety limits
and pose no medium or long-term health risk. No
levels of benzene have been recorded.
Due to the strong odour, discomfort
might be experienced by local residents. Residents
are advised to stay in well-ventilated areas,
by opening windows on the downwind side. The odour
will continue to dissipate until all the spilled
fuels have been removed.
Authorities have taken water
samples, both at the source of the spillage and
at boreholes surrounding the Blaauwpandam. Should
samples show that the product has reached groundwater,
the sampling programme will be extended appropriately.
Residents surrounding Blaauwpandam
who rely solely on borehole water should contact
Jan Bodenstein from Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Muncipality
Environmental Health on phone number 082 302 0469.
Residents and visitors will
not be able to access the Blaauwpandam until further
notice.
Blessing Manale (Departmental
Spokesperson)
