Northland's environmental watchdog is working to avoid a repeat of a suspected gas discharge which caused nausea and headaches at a small coastal settlement this week.
Northland Regional Council (NRC) air quality monitoring officer Paul Baynham said the exact cause and nature of a strange odour in the Ruakaka area on
Monday had not been determined.
"The complaints that we received were about a very, very strong odour. Some people complained of headaches and nausea."
The so-far-untraced smell also prompted the evacuation of more than 400 pupils from Bream Bay College.
Mr Baynham said the smell may have come from one of two ships berthed at the NZ Refining Company jetty.
One had admitted venting gas on Monday, about 1.30pm. The smell was not noticed in Ruakaka until about 2.30pm.
The NRC would continue its investigation and was keen to avoid any repeat of the odour.
"It's not something we like to see. There are a number of potentially serious issues in terms of possible health effects," Mr Baynham said.
There was also the risk of the cause of the odour being flammable and explosive.
New Zealand Refining Company acting general manager Shaun Dyke said extensive investigations had been carried out at the refinery, and neighbouring operations such as futurebuild, the Carter Holt Harvey laminated veneer lumber operation.
The source of the smell did not appear to come from either site and Mr Dyke also suggested the berthed ships may have been responsible.
The refining company was continuing to liaise with Bream Bay College over the incident and would also prepare a report for the NRC.
- NORTHERN ADVOCATE
