Toxic scare at preschools

Scores of children may be exposed to toxic chemicals in contaminated soil at five pre-school facilities in Auckland City.

Parents this week withdrew 30 children from the Auckland Central Playcentre in Freemans Bay after tests revealed the presence of a toxic chemical at levels up to 17 times higher than that considered safe in Environment Ministry guidelines.

The city council issued a press statement last night about the Freemans Bay case. However, the Weekend Herald has found there is a wider testing programme, which was not mentioned in the statement.

Deputy Mayor Dr Bruce Hucker later said the council had cleaned up two other preschools, was preparing to clean up another one and would be testing four more, bringing the number of affected or potentially affected sites to eight.

Ruth Connor, the support convener for the Auckland Playcentres Association, said the organisation was concerned about the issue but was impressed with the speed at which the city council was acting and helping parents.

She believed the council was right to wait for test results before informing the preschools and parents of any potential problems.

The council, which owns the Auckland Central Playcentre's land at the corner of Wellington St and Franklin Rd, received the results of soil tests on Tuesday.

These showed varying levels of benzo-a-pyrene, which is found in coal tar, crude oil and tobacco smoke.

A suspected cause of cancer, it can also spark digestive and respiratory upsets and skin and eye irritation.

Dr Hucker said the council informed parents of the soil results on Wednesday and the 17 families chose to withdraw the 30 children from the playcentre.

A temporary, high-strength cover was placed over the affected area later that day.

The council plans to spend more than $100,000 removing the top half-metre of soil at the front and rear of the playcentre. A barrier mat will be laid and the site refilled with clean soil. New play equipment will be installed.

Dr Hucker said the council had recommended parents get their children's blood tested for lead because the site had been used to grow vegetables. The council would cover the $21 cost for each test, he said.

"These test results are concerning, but not alarming. The council has taken advice and although there is unlikely to be any immediate risk to users of the site, we feel it's best to adopt a precautionary approach."


Childcare contamination

* Tested & cleaned up
Learning at the Point Community Kindergarten, Huia Rd, Pt Chevalier.
Mt Wellington Playcentre, Penrose Rd.

* Tested & about to be cleaned up
Community hall play area, Ramsgate St, Ellerslie.
Auckland Central Playcentre, Wellington St, Freemans Bay.

* Tested & awaiting results
Freemans Bay Community Centre, Hepburn St.

* Still to be tested
Ferndale Park, New North Rd, Mt Albert.
Onehunga Playcentre, Hill St.
Phyllis St Recreation Centre, Mt Albert.