NEWS DESK Proudly published by Mornington Peninsula News Group Pty. Ltd
PHONE: 03 5973 6424 Published weekly
Circulation: 19,870
Audit period: Apr 2014 - Sept 2014
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Riding high THIS little gosling hitched a ride on mum’s back during a day’s outing at the park next to Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery. The wet weather and cold wind counted for nothing – as long as the family was together. Picture: Gary Sissons
Journalists: Mike Hast, Stephen Taylor, Neil Walker 5973 6424 Photographers: Gary Sissons, Yanni Advertising Sales: Bruce Stewart 0409 428 171 Real Estate Account Manager: Jason Richardson 0421 190 318 Production/Graphic design: Maria Mirabella, Marcus Pettifer Group Editor: Keith Platt 0439 394 707 Publisher: Cameron McCullough
REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: David Harrison, Andrew ‘Toe Punt’ Kelly, Peter McCullough, Stuart McCullough. ADDRESS: Mornington Peninsula News Group PO Box 588 Hastings 3915 Email: team@mpnews.com.au Web: mpnews.com.au DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: 1PM ON THURSDAY 1 OCTOBER 2015 NEXT ISSUE PUBLICATION DATE: TUESDAY 6 OCTOBER 2015
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Poison canisters warning for beaches BEACHGOERS are being reminded not to open any containers washed up on Mornington Peninsula beaches. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority warned toxic canisters in the Torres Strait, Queensland, NSW, South Australia and Tasmania. The unlabelled silver canisters contain a rat poison known as aluminium phosphide. When a canister is opened, powder reacts with moisture in the air to release highly toxic phosphine gas which is a danger to humans. While there have been no reported cases in Victoria and currents make it likely these containers will not find their way to Port Phillip Bay it is a reminder for all beachgoers to report mystery canisters washed ashore at any time. Exposure to phosphine gas can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, breathing dif-
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Mornington News 29 September 2015
5975 3235
ficulties, dizziness, tightness of the chest, diarrhoea, fluid in the lungs, liver/kidney damage, and in severe cases death. The gas is also flammable and can spontaneously ignite causing burns or small explosions. Most aluminium phosphide is imported into Australia from China and Africa, and the unused nature of the canisters suggests they have come from an unreported shipping cargo loss sometime before February 2012. The AMSA will monitor the situation and provide technical advice to local hazmat and emergency response services when the canisters are washed ashore. Queensland and NSW fire and emergency services have dealt with over 40 canisters washed up in three years. Canisters should not be moved or opened and any sightings should be reported to emergency services on 000.
Toxic danger: Rat poison, also a danger to humans, is in canisters washed up on beaches.
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