Published Wednesday, 25 June, 2008 at 08:44 AM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
Gladstone’s New Air Monitoring Station up and Running
The first of three new air monitoring stations in Gladstone is up and running.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said the new air monitoring station at Boat Creek north of Gladstone was a major milestone in the Government’s Clean and Healthy Air for Gladstone project.
“This is the first of three new monitoring stations which will increase the number of air monitoring stations in Gladstone to seven including a mobile unit,” Mr McNamara said.
“The Boat Creek air monitoring station is monitoring sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particles including - for the first time - fine particles.
“This is a significant move because recent health studies suggest that fine particles may play a more important role in longterm human health effects than coarse particles because they can penetrate deeper into the lungs.
“They are produced mainly from the fuel combustion process, and are so small they can remain in the atmosphere for long periods.
“The range of pollutants measured at the Boat Creek station will be expanded over the next few months.
“The two other new monitoring stations will be commissioned within the next couple of months - one will be in the Boyne area and the other will be in the city centre.”
Mr McNamara said that in addition to the new monitoring stations, the existing stations at Targinie (Swans Road), Clinton and South Gladstone will be upgraded to the same standard as the Boat Creek monitoring station.
He said the air monitoring stations will be linked to the EPA website, so residents will be able to see for themselves exactly what is being measured at any time of the day or night.
Reports, announcements and other information on the Clean and Healthy Air for Gladstone project can be accessed via the internet at www.epa.qld.gov.au/gladstone or by contacting the EPA on 4971 6500.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said the new air monitoring station at Boat Creek north of Gladstone was a major milestone in the Government’s Clean and Healthy Air for Gladstone project.
“This is the first of three new monitoring stations which will increase the number of air monitoring stations in Gladstone to seven including a mobile unit,” Mr McNamara said.
“The Boat Creek air monitoring station is monitoring sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particles including - for the first time - fine particles.
“This is a significant move because recent health studies suggest that fine particles may play a more important role in longterm human health effects than coarse particles because they can penetrate deeper into the lungs.
“They are produced mainly from the fuel combustion process, and are so small they can remain in the atmosphere for long periods.
“The range of pollutants measured at the Boat Creek station will be expanded over the next few months.
“The two other new monitoring stations will be commissioned within the next couple of months - one will be in the Boyne area and the other will be in the city centre.”
Mr McNamara said that in addition to the new monitoring stations, the existing stations at Targinie (Swans Road), Clinton and South Gladstone will be upgraded to the same standard as the Boat Creek monitoring station.
He said the air monitoring stations will be linked to the EPA website, so residents will be able to see for themselves exactly what is being measured at any time of the day or night.
Reports, announcements and other information on the Clean and Healthy Air for Gladstone project can be accessed via the internet at www.epa.qld.gov.au/gladstone or by contacting the EPA on 4971 6500.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004