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 Background InformationUnomedical Media Release Monday August 6, 2007 Background to unit closure Unomedical is one of the largest manufacturing plants in the Pittwater Council area, employing about 170 people, mostly locals. The company produces sterilised, disposable medical products at its Mona Vale plant, for use in hospital operating theatres and the healthcare sector around Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Unomedical plays a key role in improving health standards in hospitals and clinics through its sterilised equipment which helps prevent cross-contamination among patients. Prior to beginning operations at its factory in Mona Vale in 2002, Unomedical obtained consent from Pittwater Council and has complied with all conditions of that consent. Late last week Pittwater Council ordered Unomedical’s sterilisation process to close down for what NSW Health has described as “a precautionary measure” based on advice about the discharge levels of ethylene oxide (ETO). Unomedical commenced proceedings in the Land and Environment Court seeking clarification of the emission levels that the Council was seeking to impose. What is ethylene oxide? Ethylene oxide (ETO) is a gas that has been used worldwide for many years in manufacturing to sterilise/decontaminate products such as single use medical devices, cosmetics, pharmaceutical raw materials, cereal, grain, herbs and spices amongst others. In hospitals ETO is used to sterilise medical equipment used in surgery. Some hospitals have ETO sterilisation units in-house. Current situation Unomedical is very concerned about the anxiety the recent news reports about air quality may have caused in the community, particularly among nearby residents and businesses. To address those concerns Unomedical will install a $400,000 Catalytic Converter which is a worlds best practice solution, and will ensure that performance criteria are not only met, they are exceeded. The company expects the new equipment will be installed and commissioned within a few weeks. In the meantime Unomedical staff will continue to manufacture and pack some equipment on site, but the company will not operate the sterilisation plant again until the catalytic converter is operational. Unomedical remains committed to providing quality sterilised products for Australia’s hospitals and operating theatres, and will continue to work closely with Pittwater Council and the relevant Government Departments to ensure that they are satisfied with how sterilising operations are to be conducted in the future. What is the current health status? NSW Health’s notice to residents states that – “There is very limited information in Australia and internationally about typical background air levels. What is known is that there is usually a very small amount of ethylene oxide in urban air and higher levels are found in the immediate vicinity of sterilisation facilities.” The Notice to Residents from NSW Health states they believe “local residents are highly unlikely to experience any immediate health effects ….” In their Fact Sheet to residents NSW Health advised that the level of emissions from the factory were about one thousand times lower than the acceptable workplace level. In the same Fact Sheet, the Department advised residents that there was no need for residents to seek medical care as a result of the emissions. Unomedical and the community Unomedical has always strived to be a responsible corporate citizen and has been a major sponsor in the area for years including -
Informing local residents Further information may be found on our website: www.unomedical.com.au
Residents can obtain further information from these sources provided by the authorities – |
