Two Dunedin Airport staff members have been taken to hospital as a precautionary measure after potentially being exposed to a toxic chemical.<\/p>\n
Firefighters were called to the Dunedin Airport’s Wastewater Treatment Plant in Airport Rd, Momona at about 11.50am this morning.<\/p>\n
Smoke could be seen flowing into the air, which was initially believed to be caused by a chemical spill.<\/p>\n
It was later confirmed there was no spill.<\/p>\n
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) spokesman said Outram, St Kilda, Mosgiel, Lookout Point, Dunedin all helped at the scene.<\/p>\n
Outram and Mosgiel were the first to arrive, who then transmitted a second alarm, which called out a command unit and a hazmat unit.<\/p>\n
“There were two people there that possibly may have been exposed, so an ambulance was called,” he said.<\/p>\n
Police were also called to the scene due to the proximity to the Dunedin Airport.<\/p>\n
The spokesman said it had been confirmed there was no actual spill.<\/p>\n
“There were some chemicals there that were of concern . . . we’re still there assisting and trying to make everything safe.<\/p>\n
A Dunedin Airport spokeswoman said staff called emergency services are smelling an “unfamiliar odour” in the air.<\/p>\n
Emergency services were called in straight away as part of the airports HAZCHEM response process, she said.<\/p>\n
“Two staff members who were onsite were taken to Dunedin Hospital for checks and observation as a precautionary measure however they had not suffered any significant impact.<\/p>\n
“We have since heard from them both and they are doing fine.”<\/p>\n
She said Fenz was currently neutralising the site, and an investigation would be conducted in due course.<\/p>\n
However, the focus for now was the safety of their staff and the site.<\/p>\n
There was no impact on airport operations, she said.<\/p>\n