Residents say they are falling ill because of emissions from Bob Clarkson's building

Toxic organic dust coming from a building owned by a controversial former National Party MP is believed to have caused health problems for neighbours, at least two of whom have been hospitalised.

The dust is from stock feed stored at a large warehouse built and owned by Bob Clarkson on Tauranga Airport land.

Clarkson famously knocked Winston Peters off his throne in Tauranga in 2005, but served only one term in Parliament, during which he was dogged by allegations of sexual harassment and his offensive comments about Muslims and homosexuals.

ANDREW GORRIE/STUFF

Bob Clarkson, who left Parliament in 2008, owns the building that stores stock feed.

Known as "Bob the Builder", he owns many of the industrial buildings in Tauranga, including one in Aerodrome Rd that is leased by multiple operators to store and process animal feed, including palm kernel.

People who live and work in hangars straight across the road have suffered a range of symptoms over several years, ranging from itchy eyes and sore throats to severe breathing problems.

A public health report dated May 10 and obtained by Stuff concluded that the activities at Clarkson's building were having adverse health effects on workers and residents because of a lack of effective dust control.

Clarkson says he's had trouble with a sub-tenant creating dust by loading palm kernel outdoors, but has removed the tenant and it's no longer a problem.

He says people shouldn't live in industrial areas if they don't like dust.