❓ The WA government is participating in a national study on air toxins, despite current levels being low in Perth. The study will monitor air quality across WA and involve community participation.
AnsweredQoN 662Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Recent investigations indicate that air toxins in Perth are below relevant standards. What is the Government doing to protect air quality for the health of all Western Australians and their environment? Dr J.M. EDWARDS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. She is correct in saying that recent studies have shown that air toxins are at low levels in Perth and Western Australia. However, we know that, nationally and internationally, air toxins are an increasing problem, having been associated with things like birth defects, cancer, respiratory diseases and other diseases very harmful to the community. Environment ministers Australia-wide have decided to establish a national environmental protection measure for air toxins, and I am delighted that Perth is leading one of the major studies looking into this issue. Part of the study will be on the impact of the air toxin emissions of motor vehicles, wood heaters and industries. Monitoring sites will be set up in Kalgoorlie, Albany and Geraldton as well as the metropolitan area, in the northern and southern suburbs and the Kwinana area. I am delighted that the Kwinana Industries Council is participating in this study and making a small financial contribution. Part of the study will involve the use of state-of-the-art equipment that has been imported from the United States and is being used in this kind of process for the first time ever. In addition to that, there will be handheld equipment that individuals can use. If they are worried about their own personal exposure, that equipment will give them an opportunity to participate in this study. Air quality is incredibly important, and it is important that we stay ahead of emerging problems. I am delighted that Western Australia is recognised as a very worthy participant in the development of this new standard. There is no doubt that we are making significant environmental achievements. We are now getting national recognition for those. I welcome the Evatt Foundation report that has just come out showing that, in the area not only of economic development but also environmental protection, we are leaders compared with the rest of Australia.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. She is correct in saying that recent studies have shown that air toxins are at low levels in Perth and Western Australia. However, we know that, nationally and internationally, air toxins are an increasing problem, having been associated with things like birth defects, cancer, respiratory diseases and other diseases very harmful to the community. Environment ministers Australia-wide have decided to establish a national environmental protection measure for air toxins, and I am delighted that Perth is leading one of the major studies looking into this issue. Part of the study will be on the impact of the air toxin emissions of motor vehicles, wood heaters and industries. Monitoring sites will be set up in Kalgoorlie, Albany and Geraldton as well as the metropolitan area, in the northern and southern suburbs and the Kwinana area. I am delighted that the Kwinana Industries Council is participating in this study and making a small financial contribution. Part of the study will involve the use of state-of-the-art equipment that has been imported from the United States and is being used in this kind of process for the first time ever. In addition to that, there will be handheld equipment that individuals can use. If they are worried about their own personal exposure, that equipment will give them an opportunity to participate in this study. Air quality is incredibly important, and it is important that we stay ahead of emerging problems. I am delighted that Western Australia is recognised as a very worthy participant in the development of this new standard. There is no doubt that we are making significant environmental achievements. We are now getting national recognition for those. I welcome the Evatt Foundation report that has just come out showing that, in the area not only of economic development but also environmental protection, we are leaders compared with the rest of Australia.
I thank the member for the question. She is correct in saying that recent studies have shown that air toxins are at low levels in Perth and Western Australia. However, we know that, nationally and internationally, air toxins are an increasing problem, having been associated with things like birth defects, cancer, respiratory diseases and other diseases very harmful to the community. Environment ministers Australia-wide have decided to establish a national environmental protection measure for air toxins, and I am delighted that Perth is leading one of the major studies looking into this issue. Part of the study will be on the impact of the air toxin emissions of motor vehicles, wood heaters and industries. Monitoring sites will be set up in Kalgoorlie, Albany and Geraldton as well as the metropolitan area, in the northern and southern suburbs and the Kwinana area. I am delighted that the Kwinana Industries Council is participating in this study and making a small financial contribution. Part of the study will involve the use of state-of-the-art equipment that has been imported from the United States and is being used in this kind of process for the first time ever. In addition to that, there will be handheld equipment that individuals can use. If they are worried about their own personal exposure, that equipment will give them an opportunity to participate in this study. Air quality is incredibly important, and it is important that we stay ahead of emerging problems. I am delighted that Western Australia is recognised as a very worthy participant in the development of this new standard. There is no doubt that we are making significant environmental achievements. We are now getting national recognition for those. I welcome the Evatt Foundation report that has just come out showing that, in the area not only of economic development but also environmental protection, we are leaders compared with the rest of Australia.
Air quality is incredibly important, and it is important that we stay ahead of emerging problems. I am delighted that Western Australia is recognised as a very worthy participant in the development of this new standard. There is no doubt that we are making significant environmental achievements. We are now getting national recognition for those. I welcome the Evatt Foundation report that has just come out showing that, in the area not only of economic development but also environmental protection, we are leaders compared with the rest of Australia.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. She is correct in saying that recent studies have shown that air toxins are at low levels in Perth and Western Australia. However, we know that, nationally and internationally, air toxins are an increasing problem, having been associated with things like birth defects, cancer, respiratory diseases and other diseases very harmful to the community. Environment ministers Australia-wide have decided to establish a national environmental protection measure for air toxins, and I am delighted that Perth is leading one of the major studies looking into this issue. Part of the study will be on the impact of the air toxin emissions of motor vehicles, wood heaters and industries. Monitoring sites will be set up in Kalgoorlie, Albany and Geraldton as well as the metropolitan area, in the northern and southern suburbs and the Kwinana area. I am delighted that the Kwinana Industries Council is participating in this study and making a small financial contribution. Part of the study will involve the use of state-of-the-art equipment that has been imported from the United States and is being used in this kind of process for the first time ever. In addition to that, there will be handheld equipment that individuals can use. If they are worried about their own personal exposure, that equipment will give them an opportunity to participate in this study. Air quality is incredibly important, and it is important that we stay ahead of emerging problems. I am delighted that Western Australia is recognised as a very worthy participant in the development of this new standard. There is no doubt that we are making significant environmental achievements. We are now getting national recognition for those. I welcome the Evatt Foundation report that has just come out showing that, in the area not only of economic development but also environmental protection, we are leaders compared with the rest of Australia.
I thank the member for the question. She is correct in saying that recent studies have shown that air toxins are at low levels in Perth and Western Australia. However, we know that, nationally and internationally, air toxins are an increasing problem, having been associated with things like birth defects, cancer, respiratory diseases and other diseases very harmful to the community. Environment ministers Australia-wide have decided to establish a national environmental protection measure for air toxins, and I am delighted that Perth is leading one of the major studies looking into this issue. Part of the study will be on the impact of the air toxin emissions of motor vehicles, wood heaters and industries. Monitoring sites will be set up in Kalgoorlie, Albany and Geraldton as well as the metropolitan area, in the northern and southern suburbs and the Kwinana area. I am delighted that the Kwinana Industries Council is participating in this study and making a small financial contribution. Part of the study will involve the use of state-of-the-art equipment that has been imported from the United States and is being used in this kind of process for the first time ever. In addition to that, there will be handheld equipment that individuals can use. If they are worried about their own personal exposure, that equipment will give them an opportunity to participate in this study. Air quality is incredibly important, and it is important that we stay ahead of emerging problems. I am delighted that Western Australia is recognised as a very worthy participant in the development of this new standard. There is no doubt that we are making significant environmental achievements. We are now getting national recognition for those. I welcome the Evatt Foundation report that has just come out showing that, in the area not only of economic development but also environmental protection, we are leaders compared with the rest of Australia.
Air quality is incredibly important, and it is important that we stay ahead of emerging problems. I am delighted that Western Australia is recognised as a very worthy participant in the development of this new standard. There is no doubt that we are making significant environmental achievements. We are now getting national recognition for those. I welcome the Evatt Foundation report that has just come out showing that, in the area not only of economic development but also environmental protection, we are leaders compared with the rest of Australia.
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