Qld: List of dead and dying doubles

AAP General News (Australia)
04-23-2001
Qld: List of dead and dying doubles

Soil testing has begun at a Brisbane post office in a bid to determine whether unexplained
staff illnesses have been caused by a toxic workplace or simply by coincidence.

Australia Post began testing the soil from the Capalaba Post Office site today, and
water and atmospheric tests will begin tomorrow.

An Australia Post spokeswoman says there is no evidence to suggest the Capalaba Business
and Delivery Centre is unsafe, but the corporation was leaving no stone unturned.

Former employees of the Capalaba Post Office, in Brisbane's south-east, last week raised
concerns about the safety of their workplace and presented their employer with a list
of 20 current and former employees suffering cancer and auto-immune diseases.

Reports of the suspected sick workplace prompted more past and present employees with
health problems to come forward, taking the list to 40.

The Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) today said the dramatic increase
in stricken employees adds weight to the union's bid to have the post office closed down.

The results of the air, water and soil tests, expected in early May, will be forwarded
to the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency and Queensland Health.

AAP RTV bja/jhm/mjm

KEYWORD: POSTAL (BRISBANE)

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