A local council in Sydney’s southwest along with the NSW Department of Health is investigating after five workers from the same office developed the same cancer.
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Five staff members working at Liverpool City Council’s 33 Moore Street office building in Sydney’s southwest developed thyroid cancer in the last three to five years.
The staff members had been working on levels five and six of the Moore Street building.
The council has launched an investigation and engaged a third-party environmental health consultant.
A dual investigation is underway after five women who worked in a Liverpool City Council office were diagnosed with cancer. Picture: Real Commercial
Council also reported the issue to the NSW Department of Health, which has began an epidemiological investigation.
Four of the people who reported having thyroid cancer consented to being part of the Department of Health’s probe.
One person diagnosed with thyroid cancer and another who reported a thyroid condition have not consented to take part.
The decision has been made to relocate staff to level four of the building while Council investigates.
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Liverpool City Council said it acted “promptly and out of concern for its staff.”
“The decision to relocate staff is in response to Council’s high level of concern for the welfare of its staff,” Liverpool City Council said in a statement to SkyNews.com.
“Council takes this very seriously and future action will be based on the results of two concurrent investigations.
“Our thoughts are with those affected and we wish them a prompt recovery.
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Employee Jenny Havilah was one of the workers recently diagnosed with thyroid cancer after working on level six, admitting the situation sounded “very sinister.”
“I’m worried about my colleagues, not just on the sixth floor (but) that worked in that building,” Ms Havilah told 9News.
“I had my thyroid and some lymph nodes removed and I’ll get the results in a week or so.”
Staff members will continue to be informed with updates in the investigation. They have also been advised they can have leave to seek medical advice if they have any concerns.
SkyNews.com has reached out to the NSW Department of Health for comment.