Danger Signs in Sydney Air Pollution Report

Wednesday, 14 November 2007 23:20

“They have smeared the figures together, and when you unpack them there are clear danger signs,” said Jeff Angel, Director of the Centre.

“Car use (measured as vehicle kilometres travelled) has grown rapidly, outstripping population growth, and despite some decreases in nitrogen oxide and VOC emissions (the major contributors to smog) - since 1994 the overall trend for smog shows no clear improvement trend, with national standards being exceeded each year.”

"This is the real test and the public deserve to be told the real situation.”

“There is also the worrying growth in fine particles (called PM2.5) that are breathed deep into the lungs. These can cause cardiovascular and respiratory problems, and have been
associated with increased mortality. The rapid growth in use of diesel, which has more than doubled in the last decade, is the main cause.”

“Total Environment Centre will be releasing a full review of the Government’s Action for Air strategy, next week. It will recommend a broad range of new actions – while there have been some advances in past years, there’s lots more to do,” Mr Angel said.