News:Holden addressing legacy environmental issue in Elizabeth.

Update news:10 Nov,2011

 http://www.media.holden.com.au/

Holden addressing legacy environmental issue in Elizabeth,

As part of its best practice environmental management, Holden is committed to identifying any historical contamination that may have occurred at its Elizabeth site over previous decades.
Holden has always complied with the required environmental standards of the day and is also committed to reviewing the impact of its operations in the past when environmental controls and management of chemicals practices were not regulated to today’s stringent standards.
As a result of this review, Holden recently identified low notifiable levels of TCE (trichloroethene) and PCE (perchloroethene) in groundwater 18 to 20 metres below Plant 1 and the Plant 5 car park at its manufacturing site in Elizabeth.
Holden’s investigations to date indicate the contamination may be a result of historical activities on the Holden site when chemicals containing TCE and PCE were used in products like Chlorex for blanking operations and caustic solution for washing components.
No residential areas have been identified as being affected by this issue.  As shown in the attached plan, the identified contamination is largely contained on the Holden site.  However, there is evidence of low concentrations of TCE and PCE on the other side of the north east boundary of the Holden site, along Philip Highway, and TCE on the northern boundary of the Holden site, along Grainger Road.
At the concentrations detected in current testing, the risk to human health presented by these chemicals is likely to be very low.
Holden takes the management of its current and any historical environmental issues very seriously.
Holden Executive Director Manufacturing, Martyn Cray, said: "We share our environment with our community and work hard to be open and transparent and to avoid environmental harm.
“Holden is actively investigating, monitoring and taking action when required in relation to historical contamination. We have contacted our neighbouring businesses so they understand the issue and our efforts to manage this historical contamination."
Holden has notified the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and is working closely with them. Holden will continue to keep its employees, local community and business partners informed and communicate further results and any appropriate follow-up action as soon as possible.
If any residents have concerns they should contact the EPA on 08 8204 2004 or visit their site for information on bore water testing.
holden.corporateaffairs@gm.com