EPA TO STUDY LOCAL AIR TOXICS13 July 2004As a key component of a national program to address toxic air pollutants, EPA Victoria will commence the specific monitoring of air toxics in communities close to industrial complexes, substantial road networks and areas affected by woodsmoke.
The Air Toxics National Environment Pollution Measure, (NEPM) provides a nationally consistent framework for the collection and analysis of air quality data for five priority air toxics.
Air toxics are pollutants that are generally present at low levels but have potential to cause health problems if not controlled. They may be associated with common air pollutants from combustion sources and motor vehicles or may arise from specific usage in industry or the community.
“The NEPM is important in developing a full understanding of these air pollutants and ultimately their potential impact on people’s health,” said EPA Victoria’s Executive Director, Environmental Science, Dennis Monahan.
“EPA’s proposed monitoring will be undertaken at sites outside of our normal air monitoring network. The aim of this monitoring is to collect information in areas where elevated levels of these pollutants might be expected.”
“The monitoring will be conducted over a 12-month period and will commence in late 2004,” Mr Monahan said. “In the meantime, preliminary assessments will be undertaken to ensure that the most appropriate locations are selected for long term monitoring.”
Over the next few months, EPA will assess potential areas for monitoring where there is a mix of industry and residential environments including Geelong and western suburbs of Melbourne.
“Whilst previous studies have indicated that levels of these pollutants are generally low, it is important that further monitoring be undertaken in accordance with the NEPM to ensure that the data can be compared with similar sites across the country,” Mr Monahan said.
“This will help to provide a good overall picture of these pollutants at a national level.”
The data collected through this study will be made available through EPA’s website and will be reported to the National Environment Protection Council as part of the annual reporting of the NEPM.
The NEPM also contains investigation levels that can be used to assess monitoring data. These health-based levels, if exceeded, trigger investigation into the cause of the elevated levels and will help to identify any actions that may be required to reduce emissions of these pollutants and the subsequent risk to community health.
“Currently, there is very little data available in Australia for these air toxics,
which include, benzene, toluene, xylenes, formaldehyde, PAHs
(polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons),” Mr Monanhan said.
EPA has undertaken recent sampling of such pollutants in the Melbourne suburb of Nunawading, to measure the possible impacts of road traffic.
“Whilst the results of this study did not reveal levels of concern in relation to these air toxics, they represent a very small snapshot for these particular chemicals,” said Mr Monahan.
“The NEPM will provide a much improved information base for use in communicating with the public on important air quality issues and for engaging the community in a more informed discussion of priorities and effectiveness of air quality management programs,” Mr Monahan said.
More information on the NEPM is available at http://www.ephc.gov.au/, whilst information on air quality in Victoria is available at www.epa.vic.gov.au.
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