The Department of Environment and Primary Industries has instructed staff to 'lock away' a chemical herbicide which contains an ingredient under investigation for negative impacts to human health.
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As the family of a spray hand believes the chemicals he used were responsible for his death, an email to DEPI staff on Monday, Regional Safety and Wellbeing Advisor Tess Shanahan said the chemical Trooper 75-D should be "immediately" removed from use.
"Could you please ensure that Trooper 75-D Herbicide be immediately taken off the shelf and locked away in a secured location with restricted access and await further advice," the email stated.
Trooper 75-D's active ingredient is 24-D - a chemical the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority is assessing for impacts to human health.
In 2013, the APVMA banned a form of 24-D for "unacceptable" environmental risks.
A report into the chemical's effects into human health are expected at the end of this year.
FULL COVERAGE
- Former government workers make startling new claims of using dangerous chemicals without protection for decades.
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- Victorian government launch immediate internal review of historical Lands Department operations.
- Bill Shorten calls for broader inquiry into toxic chemical use.
- Daughter wants answers over father's death.
- Workers rush to confirm they will give evidence if inquiry held.
The decision this week by DEPI to 'lock away' Trooper 75-D comes just weeks after the Victorian Government announced a review into the Lands Department - a former name of DEPI - following an investigation by The Courier into chemical use during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
Dozens of former employees have now come forward, confirming they were exposed to not just 24-D, but the already-banned 245-T daily with no protective clothing.
Workers say they suspect illnesses, including cancers, were caused as a result of this chemical exposure.
Many employees also report mixing these two chemicals - among others - to create even more dangerous concoctions such as Agent Orange.
Three days after The Courier broke the story, the government announced the internal review involving DEPI and the Victorian WorkCover Authority.
Since then, the state opposition have committed to holding an independent inquiry into Lands Department practices under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act - a pledge matched by the Greens.
The government say they will wait for the outcome of the internal review before deciding whether to launch a similar inquiry.
While DEPI would not confirm Trooper 75-D was removed from use it did confirm it currently holds stocks of 2,4-D products, used to treat broad-leaf weeds.
Spokesperson Nick Talbot said products being investigated are removed from use during investigations as department procedure.
He said DEPI was examining current and past practices in the storage and handling of chemicals.
Australian Workers Union Victoria branch secretary Ben Davis said the "refusal to make full and frank comment" reinforced the need for a transparent, independent inquiry.
"DEPI is obviously not well placed for a no-holds-barred examination of itself as part of a transparent process in which the department and its predecessors would be held to account for any safety breaches."
david.jeans@fairfaxmedia.com.au
jordan.oliver@fairfaxmedia.com.au
