Chemical leak: Penrose residents warned of potential health risk

Penrose residents in Auckland are being advised to keep doors and windows closed after a 5,000-liter chemical leak.

Auckland City Council is investigating the circumstances of the methyl methacrylate spill from storage at a specialty chemical company on Industry Rd today.

Although the health risk is currently assessed as low, people should take a precautionary approach and close doors and windows if they can smell the chemical, said Dr David Sinclair, Health Medical Officer, Auckland Regional Public Health Service .

While the chemical was considered to have low toxicity, it could cause nasal irritation and headaches and had a pungent, fruity odor.

He said that to avoid experiencing unpleasant odors and any potential irritations, people in the wider Penrose and Onehunga area were advised to consider closing doors and windows.

“If you work in this industrial zone, you may also need to keep the doors and windows closed tomorrow.

“The main potential health effects are irritation to the eyes, skin or respiratory tract,” Sinclair said.

A spokesman for the Auckland Council said the chemical had entered a storm drain and Manukau harbor.

“If you have any further concerns, please contact Healthline at 0800 611 116 for advice,” Sinclair said.

Auckland City Council Environmental Health Manager Mervyn Chetty said that warning signs were being posted in the area and that the Safeswim website also told people not to get into the water within 5 km of the spill, that covers Mangere Bridge, Taumanu East, Central Taumanu, Taumanu. West and Onehunga.

Auckland Council staff, including pollution and environmental health experts, had been at the scene since it was reported.

They were working with Fire and Emergency NZ, and had been consulting with Auckland Regional Public Health, says the Auckland Council.