❓ A parliamentary question regarding the presence and levels of manganese, specifically MMT, in WA fuels and air quality, and potential health impacts. The response indicates MMT is not used in WA, provides historical air quality data, and references WHO guidelines.
AnsweredQoN 1624Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is manganese or compounds of manganese, in particular MMT or methyl cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl, a component of petrol or other liquid fuels in WA?
(2) If yes, what is the maximum level of manganese or manganese compounds in these fuels?
(3) Have any assessments of manganese levels in Perth’s air shed been undertaken and, if yes, what are the results?
(4) Does WA have maximum inhalation levels for manganese by human beings in the workplace and in the general population and, if yes, what are these levels?
(5) Is there any evidence that people in WA are being exposed to levels of manganese higher than the US EPA lower threshold for inhaled manganese of 50ng/cubic metre?
(2) If yes, what is the maximum level of manganese or manganese compounds in these fuels?
(3) Have any assessments of manganese levels in Perth’s air shed been undertaken and, if yes, what are the results?
(4) Does WA have maximum inhalation levels for manganese by human beings in the workplace and in the general population and, if yes, what are these levels?
(5) Is there any evidence that people in WA are being exposed to levels of manganese higher than the US EPA lower threshold for inhaled manganese of 50ng/cubic metre?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 August 2003
Responded by
Minister for the Environment and Heritage
Response time
70 days
MMT is currently used as a fuel additive in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. (2) The Gull approval is based on a treat rate range of 10 to 50 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) manganese, with a typical treat rate of 18 mg/kg. (3) Manganese levels in ambient air in Perth were assessed as part of the Perth Haze Study in 1994-95. Concentrations of manganese recorded at three monitoring sites were: Caversham 0.00302 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3), Duncraig 0.00303 µg/m3 and Swanbourne 0.00225 µg/m3 (24 hour averages). (4) WA uses the World Health Organisation guideline of 0.150 µg/m3 manganese (annual average) as a guideline for manganese in ambient air. Information on workplace levels should be obtained from the Minister responsible for the Department for Consumer and Employment Protection. (5) Not to my knowledge.
(2) The Gull approval is based on a treat rate range of 10 to 50 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) manganese, with a typical treat rate of 18 mg/kg. (3) Manganese levels in ambient air in Perth were assessed as part of the Perth Haze Study in 1994-95. Concentrations of manganese recorded at three monitoring sites were: Caversham 0.00302 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3), Duncraig 0.00303 µg/m3 and Swanbourne 0.00225 µg/m3 (24 hour averages). (4) WA uses the World Health Organisation guideline of 0.150 µg/m3 manganese (annual average) as a guideline for manganese in ambient air. Information on workplace levels should be obtained from the Minister responsible for the Department for Consumer and Employment Protection. (5) Not to my knowledge.
(3) Manganese levels in ambient air in Perth were assessed as part of the Perth Haze Study in 1994-95. Concentrations of manganese recorded at three monitoring sites were: Caversham 0.00302 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3), Duncraig 0.00303 µg/m3 and Swanbourne 0.00225 µg/m3 (24 hour averages). (4) WA uses the World Health Organisation guideline of 0.150 µg/m3 manganese (annual average) as a guideline for manganese in ambient air. Information on workplace levels should be obtained from the Minister responsible for the Department for Consumer and Employment Protection. (5) Not to my knowledge.
(4) WA uses the World Health Organisation guideline of 0.150 µg/m3 manganese (annual average) as a guideline for manganese in ambient air. Information on workplace levels should be obtained from the Minister responsible for the Department for Consumer and Employment Protection. (5) Not to my knowledge.
Information on workplace levels should be obtained from the Minister responsible for the Department for Consumer and Employment Protection. (5) Not to my knowledge.
(5) Not to my knowledge.
(2) The Gull approval is based on a treat rate range of 10 to 50 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) manganese, with a typical treat rate of 18 mg/kg. (3) Manganese levels in ambient air in Perth were assessed as part of the Perth Haze Study in 1994-95. Concentrations of manganese recorded at three monitoring sites were: Caversham 0.00302 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3), Duncraig 0.00303 µg/m3 and Swanbourne 0.00225 µg/m3 (24 hour averages). (4) WA uses the World Health Organisation guideline of 0.150 µg/m3 manganese (annual average) as a guideline for manganese in ambient air. Information on workplace levels should be obtained from the Minister responsible for the Department for Consumer and Employment Protection. (5) Not to my knowledge.
(3) Manganese levels in ambient air in Perth were assessed as part of the Perth Haze Study in 1994-95. Concentrations of manganese recorded at three monitoring sites were: Caversham 0.00302 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3), Duncraig 0.00303 µg/m3 and Swanbourne 0.00225 µg/m3 (24 hour averages). (4) WA uses the World Health Organisation guideline of 0.150 µg/m3 manganese (annual average) as a guideline for manganese in ambient air. Information on workplace levels should be obtained from the Minister responsible for the Department for Consumer and Employment Protection. (5) Not to my knowledge.
(4) WA uses the World Health Organisation guideline of 0.150 µg/m3 manganese (annual average) as a guideline for manganese in ambient air. Information on workplace levels should be obtained from the Minister responsible for the Department for Consumer and Employment Protection. (5) Not to my knowledge.
Information on workplace levels should be obtained from the Minister responsible for the Department for Consumer and Employment Protection. (5) Not to my knowledge.
(5) Not to my knowledge.
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