Environmental Pollution by Fluoride from Ravensdown Fertiliser Plants

Fluoridation began because of law suits over environmental damage by, and exposure of workers to, fluoride. Siliciofluorides used for water fluoridation are derived from the superphosphate fertiliser industry. The fluoride emissions are toxic, and have to be "scrubbed" from the chimney stacks to prevent environmental damage. The resulting acid is too toxic to be disposed of any other way, so it is disposed of through public water supplies instead, in the name of dental health. 70 years later, environmental pollution from fluoride emissions from fertiliser plants is still going strong in NZ.

Orchardist and Ravensdown reach settlement

NZPA | 25 November 2008 05:50pm

An orchardist's fight for compensation from fertiliser giant Ravensdown over crop damage from acid and fluoride emissions from the company's plant has ended with an out-of-court settlement.

It came after just one day of a scheduled 12-day trial in the High Court in Napier.

Paddy Donovan, also an accountant and a former Olympic and Empire games boxer, was seeking over $1 million.

He wanted compensation for losses for damage in the 2005-2006 season, and the loss of land value and associated anxiety and stresses in the wake of earlier damage for which the company had compensated him amid a range of settlements with growers, without conceding responsibility, dating back to at least 1996.

Mr Donovan had operated the Plumpton Park orchards at Meeanee, where the family had been established since 1939, about 2km in a direct line from the company's plant at Awatoto, on the coastal State Highway 2 route between Clive and Napier.

Mr Donovan says that in January 2006, Ravensdown CEO Rodney Green promised it would pay for the 2005 year as soon as Mr Donovan provided spray diaries for that period but, after receiving the diaries, denied responsibility for any damage caused by its acid and fluoride discharge in that year.

However, he says neighbouring orchard Brookfield's Farm was paid and compensation was also paid to three other orchards in the area. Remedial measures have been taken by the company since a resource consent hearing last year. Mr Donovan, argues Ravensdown acted with "a conscious, outrageous and flagrant disregard for the plaintiff's rights."

He says acid and fluoride discharges had damaged crops in the area for many years, Ravensdown was aware of the risks and failed to take appropriate precautions to prevent damage. The company, represented by Dunedin barrister Frazer Burton, says the January 2006 discussions were "without prejudice".

Otago Daily Times

June 09, 2003

Fears over level of toxic fluoride - Homegrown produce threatened by emissions

by Tom McKinlay

After years of feeding her family with homegrown vegetables, Ravensbourne resident Ruth Bayne is questioning whether she has been doing the right thing. It was with horror she read in the Otago Daily Times last week that tests on vegetables from several Ravensbourne gardens recorded fluoride levels many times the recommended safe maximum as a result of emissions from the Ravensdown Fertiliser works.

"I have sat down to eat with a feeling of satisfaction and pride when using vegies and fruit that I have grown myself, and I have always felt that this was a healthy choice for my family," Ms Bayne said. Food standard guidelines for water put the maximum fluoride content at 1.5mg per litre, while regulations covering vegetables set an upper level of 10 parts per million. The maximum daily recommended intake from all sources is 6mg (FANNZ note: this is too high - it is enough to cause crippling skeletal fluorosis). Tests on vegetables in Ravensbourne have regularly found levels 10 times as high.

Ravensdown has confirmed high emission levels had damaged some pine trees in the area.

"Sure I have seen the damaged pine trees on Ravensbourne Rd, but somewhat naively had not considered that there may be any other impact on my life," Ms Bayne said.

Ravensdown had a responsibility to ensure it did not have a negative impact on the environment or people who lived nearby, she said. Ravensdown has to renew its air discharge consents next year and has closed for a month to install a $2.5 million scrubber to reduce fluoride emissions.

Public Health South health protection officer Andrew Shand said he was working with Ravensdown on putting appropriate monitoring in place.

Ravensdown is required by its consents to monitor air quality in Ravensbourne and check vegetation every two years. Vegetation monitoring in November 2001 confirmed damage to trees and monitoring was expanded to include pine needles, vegetables and pasture.

However, Ravensbourne residents' gardens have only been tested on request.

"Some results at the Ravensbourne Rd site did exceed the guidelines on occasions over the last two years, but now are below the guidelines," said Ravensdown works manager Craig Hendry.

The company expected the new scrubber to substantially reduce fluoride levels and would install further control measures if necessary.