Media Release 31 Oct 2007

No evidence of increased cancer rates in Mona Vale area

A review of the NSW Cancer Register by the Northern Sydney Central Coast Public Health Unit shows that there has been no increase in cancer rates in the suburb of Mona Vale.

The study was conducted in response to community concerns about emissions from Unomedical, a medical equipment sterilisation plant at Mona Vale, and covers the period 1996 to 2005.

The findings of the study will be presented to local residents at a public meeting tonight (Wednesday 31 October 2007).

Dr Michael Staff, Public Health Physician, Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health Service, said that: “the findings do not support the view that emissions from the plant have caused an increase in cancer rates.”

The study’s findings have been reviewed by an expert panel established by NSW Health to provide advice on assessing whether the past operations of the facility are likely to have caused health problems for the local community.

Unomedical emitted a gas called ethylene oxide that is used to sterilise medical equipment.

“The next step is to model historical air levels of ethylene oxide that the factory has emitted and assess whether these are likely to have caused health effects,” Dr Staff said.

He said the gathering of information for this work is well underway with findings expected later in the year.

Pittwater Council ordered Unomedical to cease emissions on 26 July 2007. The company subsequently installed an emissions control system for its steriliser and recommenced production subject to strict operating conditions.

The full report on the study is available on the Northern Sydney Central Coast health website at http://www.nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au

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