MEDIA RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018
The Environmental Protection Authority has today released new guidance to highlight the dangers around mixing products
containing hazardous substances – whether at work, on your land, at home, or anywhere else.
“It’s important to understand the implications of mixing chemicals,” says Dr Fiona Thomson-Carter, General Manager of
the EPA’s Hazardous Substances Group.
“Mixing the wrong things together can pose a risk to people and the environment.
“While commercial manufacturers have experienced and competent staff, we believe the practice of creating “tank mixes”
is commonplace in backyards across the country: you may be creating and spraying these at work, on your farm, lifestyle
block or section, or in an urban garden.
We know that most people create them according to the instructions, but we are equally aware of others who create their
own.
“If you think back to basic chemistry when your chemistry teacher explained how mixing different chemical substances can
cause a reaction, the result can be just the same,” says Dr Thomson-Carter.
“If you mix random products together, it’s anyone’s guess as to how those chemicals will behave.
“Some products are designed to be mixed. Others may need to be combined in a particular way, and there can be unexpected
consequences: substances may become unstable, toxic to people and the environment, and sometimes not as effective.
“We encourage everyone to read our new web guidance to better understand the risks and ensure they stay safe,” says Dr
Thomson-Carter.
ends