|
Issues Variability and ChangeAmbient Air QualityIndoor Air Quality |
|
At a glance The issue The collective term 'air toxics' covers a number of substances that affect human and environmental health. They are usually treated collectively because they have similar sources, and require similar management responses to keep concentrations below acceptable levels. This 'At a glance' section provides an overview of the issue of air toxics. More detailed information and references are available in the Air Toxics Issue Report. An indicator is included within the report on the Emission of Air Pollutants. The recommendation on Total Exposure to Air Pollution responds, in part, to the air toxics issue. A further recommendation is also presented on Ambient Air Quality Monitoring. Favourable news - The National Pollutant Inventory shows that there have been some improvements in the levels of emissions of select air toxic pollutants, e.g. benzene, lead and total volatile compounds (the number of reporting facilities has varied over the years, therefore caution is required when interpreting the emissions data).
- An Ambient Air Toxics National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) is currently being developed and an Ambient Air Toxics Discussion Paper has been released for public comment. A draft NEPM for Air Toxics and impact statement were released for public comment in 2003.
- The Australian Government's Living Cities - Air Toxics Program is assisting in raising awareness of the issue.
- The Australian Government's Department of Environment and Heritage has published the State of Knowledge Report: Air Toxics and Indoor Air Quality in Australia (Environment Australia 2001). The report is important to Tasmania as it provides a compilation of existing information on air toxics and indoor air quality in Australia, and is intended to provide a useful reference point for governments, industry, the public, and for developing appropriate management strategies.
- The Department of Environment and Heritage has published a technical report: 'Emissions from Domestic Solid Fuel Burning Appliances' (Environment Australia 2002). The report provides a review of current knowledge on domestic solid-fuel-burning appliances, a survey of the number and type of wood-burning appliances and current fuels in southern Australia, and new information on the composition and concentrations of air toxics emissions for Australian conditions that will be useful to Tasmania.
Unfavourable news - Currently there are no air quality standards set for many of the air toxic substance. However, it is anticipated that these may be developed and be applicable to Tasmania in the next 5-10 years.
- There is only limited monitoring of the various substances that make up the collection known as ambient air toxics. The main data available relate to the emission of some of these substances, as reported under the National Pollutant Inventory, or through the air quality monitoring of particulates and carbon monoxide (see Particulate Pollution and Carbon Monoxide Issue Reports). There are plans for extending the air quality monitoring to include sulphur dioxide in Hobart, but not other air toxics.
- Despite improvements in emissions as reported through the National Pollutant Inventory, diffuse sources such as motor vehicles and wood heaters continue to be significant contributors of air toxics.
- Air toxics are primarily a problem of the medium to larger urban centres, in particular, Hobart and Launceston, with some problems in the north-west coast centres.
Uncertain news - Unfortunately, there are few data on the magnitude and location of the problem of air toxics in Tasmania. A program involving mobile air quality monitoring equipment for a range of pollutants would help to define the magnitude of the problem and target management responses to the highest priority areas.
|
|
