Published Tuesday, 18 December, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
EPA air quality monitoring is ultra-fine
The Environmental Protection Agency is the first government agency in Australia to routinely monitor the air for ultra-fine particles, created by motor vehicle emissions.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said a new air quality monitoring station recently located at Oxley Creek Common at Rocklea was the first of three EPA stations being upgraded to measure ultra-fine air particles in Brisbane.
“Ultra-fine particles are the smallest components of airborne particles that are capable of penetrating deep into the lungs.
“More than 60,000 people are moving to Queensland each year, and the use of cars is growing faster than the population.
“To assess the environmental health and other impacts of vehicles, we need to continuously monitor the number and concentration of ultra-fine particles these cars emit in certain high traffic areas of South-east Queensland.
“A station located along Ipswich Road at the Princess Alexandra Hospital grounds will be the second station to be upgraded to monitor ultra-fine particles early next year. One of the EPA’s mobile stations will also be upgraded by the middle of 2008 to participate in a roadside monitoring study in south east Queensland,” he said.
Mr McNamara said many steps had been taken to improve air quality in South-east Queensland, for the health and well-being of present and future residents, and to reduce the ecological impacts.
“The focus is on a range of actions under the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2005-2026 to reduce dependence on private motor vehicles by investing in cycling and walking facilities, rail and busway infrastructure and more trains and buses.
“There has also been a tightening of emissions standards for new vehicles while new fuel quality standards were introduced over 2002-06.
“This has halved emissions from motor vehicles while diesel fuel sulphur reductions have also cut the numbers of ultra-fine air particles.
“By establishing these monitoring stations, the EPA will be able to track trends in air quality, benchmark our levels against levels in other places, and contribute to studies aimed at identifying and quantifying the health impacts of these particles.”
Media contact: Emma Parnell 3336 8002
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said a new air quality monitoring station recently located at Oxley Creek Common at Rocklea was the first of three EPA stations being upgraded to measure ultra-fine air particles in Brisbane.
“Ultra-fine particles are the smallest components of airborne particles that are capable of penetrating deep into the lungs.
“More than 60,000 people are moving to Queensland each year, and the use of cars is growing faster than the population.
“To assess the environmental health and other impacts of vehicles, we need to continuously monitor the number and concentration of ultra-fine particles these cars emit in certain high traffic areas of South-east Queensland.
“A station located along Ipswich Road at the Princess Alexandra Hospital grounds will be the second station to be upgraded to monitor ultra-fine particles early next year. One of the EPA’s mobile stations will also be upgraded by the middle of 2008 to participate in a roadside monitoring study in south east Queensland,” he said.
Mr McNamara said many steps had been taken to improve air quality in South-east Queensland, for the health and well-being of present and future residents, and to reduce the ecological impacts.
“The focus is on a range of actions under the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2005-2026 to reduce dependence on private motor vehicles by investing in cycling and walking facilities, rail and busway infrastructure and more trains and buses.
“There has also been a tightening of emissions standards for new vehicles while new fuel quality standards were introduced over 2002-06.
“This has halved emissions from motor vehicles while diesel fuel sulphur reductions have also cut the numbers of ultra-fine air particles.
“By establishing these monitoring stations, the EPA will be able to track trends in air quality, benchmark our levels against levels in other places, and contribute to studies aimed at identifying and quantifying the health impacts of these particles.”
Media contact: Emma Parnell 3336 8002