An inquiry into the health impacts of noxious smells from waste facilities near Ipswich has found that the odours are “highly offensive” but not toxic.

Odours wafting from several waste management facilities, known as the Swanbank landfill, have been the source of community concern for some time.

“The public health inquiry did not find any evidence of an increased risk of cancer in the exposed population or that the odours are toxic,” Health Minister Tim Nicholls told parliament on Wednesday.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls Credit: Matt Dennien

“However, the report makes clear that odorous chemicals in the air do not need to be at toxic levels to impact human health.

“The findings reveal what the people of Ipswich have known for many years. Odour from the industrial areas is highly o

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