The Sydney Morning Herald revealed that the Office of Environment and Heritage emailed an ‘‘Early Alert’’ to Ms Parker’s office at 4.23pm on August 10, two days after the leak.
It warned that parts of Stockton had been covered by a residue ‘‘characteristic of hexavalent chromium, which is a hazardous substance if inhaled’’.
The office of the Newcastle MP, Tim Owen, said he was informed of the alert soon after via a telephone message, despite Ms Parker not going public with a warning until 3.27pm the next day.
Shortly after, the Department of Health issued guidelines to Stockton residents who may have been affected, including advice to wash down surfaces with which children might come into contact.
The guidelines said hexavalent chromium could cause cancer, but normally only after high levels of exposure over a long period. They said ‘‘current available evidence suggests a low risk’’ from the Orica release.
The Opposition Leader, John Robertson, demanded yesterday Ms Parker be stood down pending the findings of an independent inquiry ordered by Mr O’Farrell.
Ms Parker’s office did not return calls.
The Office of Environment and Heritage alert has focused attention on her initial public statements about when the government first learnt of the leak. At a news conference on the Friday after the incident, Ms Parker told Channel Seven: ‘‘The Office of Environment and Heritage first heard about this incident on Tuesday, so they immediately talked to Orica and at first we were told it was an emission on site.’’
However, she has subsequently said she first learnt about the incident from the alert.
The alert raises questions about why the Health Minister, Jillian Skinner, did not act to tell the public about the dangers of exposure to the chemical. Ms Skinner told the Herald she was told about the leak on Wednesday at 5.50pm by Ms Parker’s office.
‘‘I confirmed that as this was potentially a public health issue, it was most appropriately dealt with by the chief health officer, Dr Kerry Chant,” she said. “I have total confidence in Dr Chant.’’ SMH
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