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Objective
Recommendation
Key issues
What has been achieved 1998-2003
Tasmania Together
Further and related recommendations
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Objective To improve indoor air quality. Recommendation It is recommended that: - in consultation with commerce and industry, the State Government reviews present standards and enforcement procedures for indoor air quality and examines permit conditions for scheduled premises to better enforce workplace standards;
- the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment identify opportunities to include indoor air quality standards in building and design codes, and to better inform builders, architects, designers and their clients about indoor air quality issues; and
- a legislative mechanism is investigated to set standards for the residential sector, potentially based on a National Environmental Protection Measure.
Key issues Indoor air quality is linked to ensuring health and well-being, healthy lifestyles, and clean, unpolluted and safe environments, which are necessary considerations in achieving Tasmania Together goals. Further detail on indoor air quality is provided in the Commercial and Residential Indoor Air Quality Issue Report. Some of the key points to emerge are as follows.- Australians spend almost all of their time indoors. In 1997, the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated that less than 4% of time was spent outdoors. However, there is an overall paucity of information and research into indoor air quality. Many indoor air pollutants have not been fully investigated and the information base for pollution control measures is limited. There is little or no information in the public domain about industrial indoor air quality in Tasmania.
- Permit conditions for scheduled premises under the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994, do not apply to emissions contained within the building or the boundaries of a premise. As a result, it is not possible for the Environment Division of DPIWE to contribute in guiding improvements in indoor air quality outcomes for industrial premises. There is also some concern that occupational health and safety standards introduced in 1985 are not up-to-date or adequately enforced.
- Studies in Tasmanian non-industrial workplaces indicate very high concentrations of total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), and have some of the highest levels of sick building syndrome, especially when compared to other Australian studies. Studies around Australia have indicated an extremely high level of occupant dissatisfaction with the commercial indoor work environment.
- Compliance with standards and guidelines assist in controlling indoor air pollution, but they are not a guarantee of a problem-free building. Australian studies have shown that, in some cases, indoor pollution concentrations far exceed relevant standards and guidelines. Also, the standards and guidelines are not always applicable to non-industrial workplaces or residential dwellings.
- Enhanced capability and improved enforcement in consultation with industry, and better recognition of roles and responsibilities across agencies, would contribute to improved industrial and commercial air quality outcomes. The appointment of a workplace air quality specialist in the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources would assist in supporting their role in providing a more pro-active response to improving workplace air quality conditions.
- There is a need to bring together all key players to review standards and enforcement procedures across all aspects of commercial, industrial and residential air quality. Different improvements and programs are required for each sector.
- Industrial and commercial indoor air quality issues warrant a review of present standards and enforcement procedures, and an examination of permit conditions for scheduled premises to better enforce workplace standards.
- In the residential sector there is a need for a legislative mechanism to set standards. Information availability and dissemination to the public on some potential air quality issues, including the incidence of asbestos in buildings and asbestos removal issues, should also be improved.
What has been achieved 1998-2003 The progress made in this area since the previous SoE Report has been limited to the following initiatives: - The banning of smoking in many enclosed public spaces has been important in improving one significant contributor to indoor air quality problems. However, generally, government departments and bodies only examine indoor environments (industrial/non-industrial) when a problem is drawn to their attention or when a management activity is required by legislation.
- Two major studies on indoor air (non-industrial work environments) have been undertaken at the University of Tasmania (Mesaros 1995; Mesaros 1999). This has contributed to some much needed information on the state of some Tasmanian indoor environments.
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Tasmania Together Relevant Tasmania Together goals and standards for 'Atmosphere' are listed in the linked file. The Tasmania Together Progress Board reported on progress toward targets for benchmarks set (Tasmania Together Progress Board 2003). Indicators, targets and baseline data are available in the latest Progress Report June 2003. Further information, including progress report updates, is available from Tasmania Together. Further and related recommendations
Related Issue Reports
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