Newcastle Set to Host Air Quality Review Forum

BY LILLY HAINES

Newcastle is set to host an air quality forum next week to discuss proposed new standards for toxic air pollutants in the region.

A government committee reviewing national air pollution standards is visiting the area to hear from people affected by exposure to toxic gas air pollutants.

The review process is looking at the levels of oxides of nitrogen and related gases sulphur dioxide and ozone.

The review of ambient air pollutants is occurring 21 years after national air pollution standards were introduced.

Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) issued a report in February showing coarse particle pollution had worsened in many parts of NSW over the past 12 months, including areas in the Hunter.

The report showed coarse particles exceeded the annual standard at nine locations, up from 2 locations in 2017 and none in previous years.

Eight of these locations were located in the Hunter at sites including Mt Thorley, Singleton, Muswellbrook, Mayfield, Carrington, and Beresfield.

"The Hunter region has quite high levels of particle air pollution both for coarse particles which are mostly coming from coal mines and for finer particles which are coming from fires and coal-fired power stations," Dr Ben Ewald from DEA said.

Dr Ewald said there is also a problem with sulphur dioxide air pollution, which he says is mostly emitted by the power stations but can also come from aluminium smelting.

"Nitrogen dioxide tends to be more of a problem down in Sydney because it's mostly a traffic related thing, but sulphur dioxide is a problem in places like Muswellbrook with exposure to power stations," said Dr Ewald.

"And that shows up also in the monitors close to the Tomago aluminium smelter."

Dr Ewald also said there are serious health risks linked to exposure to ambient gases, with fine particle pollutants increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes as well as having an association with lung cancer.

Respiratory irritations, like triggering asthma attacks, have been linked to suplhur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide exposure with statistics showing a greater proportion of people experience respiratory irritations in the Upper Hunter than other parts of the state.

The air quality forum will be held at Newcastle Town Hall on Tuesday 23rd July beginning at 5:30pm.

Liddell Power Station near Muswellbrook. Image: AAP. 

Workers Fear Exposure to Toxic Gas at Westfield Kotara.

BY DANIELLE RIES

Toxic gas otherwise known as aluminium salt slag has been discovered by workers during the $90 million redevelopment of Westfield Kotara.

Aluminium salt slag emits highly toxic and explosive gases when exposed to water or humidity.

The poisonous gas was found during the excavation of the car park near Northcott Drive and workers fear they could have been exposed to the contamination.

Construction workers are now being advised to wear full body suits and using respiratory equipment when working at the site.

Truck drivers removing the contaminated material are being advised to keep their windows closed and not to leave their cabin.

Before the environmental damage of slag was known to the public, it was used as landfill for sites around the Hunter region.

Both the Environment Protection Authority and SafeWork NSW have launched investigations into this incident.

In a statement provided to 2NUFRM, SafeWork NSW said:

"Investigating alleged exposure to hazardous materials at a construction site on the corner of Park Avenue and Northcott Drive Kotara.

A part of its investigation, SafeWork will review the reports of independent consultants engaged by the business."

Westfield Kotara.
Credit- Visit Newcastle Website.