Employees say they can "taste" and smell burned tyres every morning they arrive at their work in Katherine South.
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This is 40 days after the Territory Day fire which saw a pall of black and hazardous smoke linger across large parts of Katherine.
Unknown to the workers, and most everyone else in Katherine, the town council had agreed to store many thousands of old tyres on vacant land between the showgrounds and speedway track.
This mountain of tyres ignited on Territory Day, apparently as a result of a nearby grass fire, forced the relocation of free Territory Day events away from the danger zone.
Residents were warned to stay away because of a potential health hazard over several days.
But many people are still questioning why those living in areas covered by the potentially toxic smoke were not evacuated.
Instead they were told to keep windows and doors closed and reduce reverse cycle air conditioning.
There does not appear to have been any specific advice from the NT Health Department on the emergency.
General advice was released through Katherine Town Council and police about "tyre fires create large amounts of thick black smoke and can be difficult to extinguish."
They went on - "Smoke from a tyre fire contains a number of substances that may cause health issues. Smoke may cause, amongst other symptoms, a burning feeling in your eyes and throat irritation.
"The public are asked to avoid this area where possible. If you live or work nearby, stay indoors, reduce reverse cycle air-conditioning and reduce physical activity. Keep windows and doors closed."
"The council are working to remediate the site."
What authorities did not say was tyre fires release smoke which can contain cyanide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and products of butadiene and styrene.
Council said it had created the second tyre dump because it considered the fire risks were greater at the rubbish tip, where a further 450 tons of tyres are now being hastily removed.
"Tyres are a listed waste and must be managed in accordance with the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act 1998 and its regulations," an EPA spokesman said in the days after the fire.
The Environment Protection Authority is keeping tabs on Katherine Town's Council continuing old tyre clean-up.
"We are in regular contact with KTC to help them identify their issues and the expertise required to undertake the clean-up properly and are satisfied with the progress made thus far," a spokesman said this week.
The spokesman said the investigation was ongoing and he could not release details on possible outcomes or timelines.
The EPA has in the past said tyres can only be stored in a licenced location and the unsecured area at the rear of the showgrounds appears to breach those requirements.
The Katherine Times has also been unable to learn whether the failure to warn residents of the dangers from the smoke is part of the investigation.
Council last month agreed to pay for the removal of the tyres at the tip "as a matter of urgency".
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