Toxic rubbish fells garbage truck driver

A 200-metre exclusion zone has been set up near Sydney's Taronga Zoo following a toxic chemical problem in a garbage truck.

Fire rescue authorities say the male driver of the garbage truck on Sirius Cove Road in Mosman had been affected by toxic fumes coming from garbage collected in the truck.

The truck had unknowingly collected rubbish containing chemicals from a property and the breakdown of these chemicals gave off a toxic smell, said authorities.

The driver, in his 60s, was treated at the scene by fire rescue authorities and has been taken to Royal North Shore hospital in a stable condition.

Two council officers who attended the property were also affected and received decontamination treatment.

Five fire and rescue crews, including a specialist Hazmat unit, remain on the scene.