Here are 6 air quality priorities the government needs to take to save lives
By world standards Australia’s air quality is considered ‘good’. But the latest scientific evidence shows there is no ‘safe’ level of air pollution – all pollution matters. And unbeknown to most, the health impacts of air pollution in Australia are significant.
In the lead-up to the next federal election, the Centre for Air pollution, energy and health Research (CAR) has released its policy document – Cleaner Air for Australians. This policy document outlines the six actions the next government needs to take to improve air quality.
The COVID-19 pandemic and smoke from the Australian bushfires in the 2019-20 summer have highlighted the dangers of the ‘invisibles’ in our air. But beyond these extreme and episodic events, the run-of-the mill air pollution has significant health impacts on Australians.
CAR researchers have found that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter leads to over 2,500 Australian deaths every year. This is more than double the annual road toll of 1,100 deaths.
This is why CAR, led by Professor Guy Marks at UNSW Sydney, has outlined six policy actions the next government needs to take to reduce air pollution in Australia.
One of the actions is to review the way air pollution is regulated in Australia. Currently, air quality is regulated by setting standards or maximum concentrations for six air pollutants under the National Environment Protection Measures (NEPM).
“Using standards under the NEPM implies it is safe to pollute up to this standard. But the evidence shows there isn’t a ‘safe’ level of air pollution, so we cannot accept the long-term use of the NEPM. Instead, we are calling on the government to shift to continuously reduce air pollution by using an emissions reduction framework,” says Professor Marks.
“We have shown that a reduction in air pollution levels – even by a relatively small amount – will yield many substantial health benefits.”
Another important step is to take strong national action on wood heater smoke.
“When most people think of air pollution in our cities, they think of traffic and industry. Yet, the number one source of fine particulate matter in Sydney and Melbourne is wood heater smoke,” says Professor Marks.
“We are calling on the government to undertake a suite of actions that together will reduce the health impacts of wood heater smoke. These include the introduction of buy-back schemes for wood heaters, more resourcing for local governments to tackle smoky wood heaters and a national health education campaign”.
CAR’s policy document can be viewed here: https://www.car-cre.org.au/federal-election-priorities-2022
About The Centre for Air pollution
The Centre for Air pollution, energy and health Research (CAR) is an NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence that brings together experts studying the links between air pollution, energy transitions and our health. We are a virtual center and are based in most Australian capital cities. Our researchers are at the cutting edge of science and come from a variety of fields. Our vision is for a healthier community through cleaner air and cleaner energy sources.