After July’s  Derrimut factory fire , EPA Victoria has now confirmed there was little or no harm to nearby residents and any localised impacts to waterways were short lived. 

The results from our extensive air and water quality testing, taken during and after the fire can be found  at https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/about-epa/publications/derrimut-fire-science-report This report also assesses any risk to human health and the environment. 

The report shows that while solvents stored in the factory produced potentially harmful emissions during the fire and contaminated firewater that flowed into local waterways, particularly Laverton Creek, the temperature of the fire pushed the smoke plume to a high altitude. As a result, air quality was a low risk to human health to nearby residents.

Chemicals in all local waterways were below levels that could pose a risk to human health, but chemical levels in Kayes Drain and Laverton Creek could have been harmful to fish. This was resolved quickly and there was no evidence of harm to wildlife. 

There was no evidence of harm in Cherry Creek or Cherry Lake and we did not find any persistent chemicals - like heavy metals or Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). 

EPA is holding a community drop-in information session to talk about the report. 

Date: 14 October 

Time: 6 pm to 7:30 pm

Location: Sasella Park Hall, 119 Station Street, Deer Park