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- Air pollution - Bushland |
Air Pollution in Sydney
Motor vehicle related air pollution in this city sees Sydney's residents frequently breathing in pollutants at levels that fail World Health Organisation standards. While catalytic converters and improved fuel efficiency have seen a decrease in some pollutants, the rise in car use in Sydney has seen many of these gains negated. A recent report showed that for many pollutant types Sydneysiders are producing higher levels per capita than New Yorkers and Londoners. Between 1981 and 1991 Sydney's car use rose by 20% even though the population only rose by 9%. This has serious implications for related air pollution. Investing in public transport rather than roads would go some way to improving our urban air. Environment Protection Authority 2001 In Sydney motor cars account for 90% of carbon monoxide in the air. When in the blood stream, carbon monoxide prohibits haemoglobin from carrying oxygen. World Health Organisation goals continue to be exceeded in our CBD. Parliamentary Research Papers 1998 Ozone is formed from a reaction between nitrous oxides and reactive organic compounds. Low-lying ozone can trigger asthma attacks and irritate air passages and eyes. It can cause cancer, gene mutation, reproductive malfunction and neuro-toxic effects. Levels in Sydney can peak well over World Health Organisation standards. Parliamentary Research Papers 1998 Freeways have been found to contribute, in their vicinity, up to 60% of downwind benzene and toluene levels in the air. Environment Australia 2001 Benzene
is a known carcinogen - as such the World Health Organisation has
stated that there can be no 'safe threshold' for it. Motor vehicles emit 3,100 tonnes of benzene in NSW annually. This is compared with industry, which emits 560 tonnes. Environment Protection Authority 2000 On days of high pollution there is an increase of mortality of 2 to 3%. Vehicle air pollution results in health and medical costs of around $300 million annually. Parliamentary Research Papers 1998 Sydney Compared with other Cities Levels of pollution per head for Sydneysiders show that per capita we produce double the amount of carbon dioxide as Londoners, 1.5 times as much oxides, double the carbon monoxide, and higher levels of volatile hydrocarbons per person.We
also produce more oxides of nitrogen, and higher levels of volatile
hydrocarbons and vehicle particulates per capita than New Yorkers. The Government has recognised a link between land use for transport and air pollution. Action for Air's main objective was to reduce the growth in vehicle kilometres travelled by effectively integrating urban and transport planning and improving transport choices. Since its recommendations we have seen the construction of the M5, M5 East, Eastern Distributor and now the Western Sydney Orbital, all of which have seen a rise in the number of people opting for driving over public transport. By contrast we've seen a tiny fraction of funding going into mass transit options. |
Latest news6 May 2004 22 September 2003 1 September 2003 25 July 2003 14 February 2003 31 October 2002 |