List of Office Bearers 2

Welcome to New Members 4

Victorian Branch Committee Notice 4

14th international Conference 4

Editorial: J. O'Heare 6 Explaining Health Risks from Air Pollution

CASANZ Victoria Breakfast Seminar Series 6

President's Column 7 National Environment Protection Measure Workloads of Society Office-Bearers Training Activities

News from Environment Australia 8 Progress in the Development of National Environment Protection Measures

The Structure of Environment Australia within the Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories 9

Company and Industry News 11 Australian Gas Growth requires Reform and Investment MIM's Major Environmental Initiatives in NW Queensland Standards Agreement - An Australian First $3.55 Billion Air Pollution Monitoring & Sampling Market by 2001 New Hope of Controlling Asthma Attacks Cleaner Production Demonstration Project Environmental Notes - Hazardous Substances Packaging for a Sustainable Future Environmental Notes - NICNAS, Standards The Engineer's response to Sustainable Development ABS Environmental Issues: Peoples Views and Practices 1996 The Ultimate in Oil-Free Compressors from Champion South Australia leads with Natural Gas Bus Purchases HRL Limited goes National through its Acquisition ofETRS Pty Ltd Instruments from ANRI

Instruments from TES Instruments from Ecotech Instruments from Lear Siegter Environmental Notes - Environmental Issues Environmental Notes - Websites, Publications Instruments for Rental from EnviroRent Inexpensive Air Monitoring for R&D

Contributed Article:

F. Ardern: Continuous Ambient Particulate Monitoring using a Tapered-Element Microbalance 27_ A brief description of the particle monitor developed by Patashnick and

Rupprecht is presented.

Young Australian of the Year Award 28

Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997

CLEAN AIR is the journal of the Clean Air Sociery

of Australia and New Zealand

1 Denman St Mitcham Vic 3132

ISSN 0009-8647

web page:http://www.sci.quc.edu.au/casanz/

EXECUTIVE OFFICER Geoff Angus

Tel: (03) 9872 5111 Fax: (03) 9872 5111

EDITOR Jack O'Heare

12 Pall Mall

MtWaverley Vic 3149

Tel: (03) 9807 1942

Fax: (03) 9888 3545

ASSOCIATE EDITORS (Review) H. liridgman, D. Collins, P. Manias, R. Srrauch

EDITORIAL BOARD J. O'Heare, H. F. Hamnann,

P. Manins, R. Strauch

ADVERTISING Geoff Angus Tel: (03) 9872 5111 Fax: (03) 9872 5111

DESIGN & PRODUCTION B&B Design Pty Ltd

Helen Burbery, Graham Fry,

Steven Fogg, Volker Schuberr, Luize Svikers

133 High St

PrahranVic3I81

Tel: (03) 9529 8999 Fax: (03) 9525 2207

E-mail: bbdesign@ozonline.com.au

PRINTER York Press

61-63 Burnley St

Richmond Vic 3121

Tel: (03) 9427 9700

SUBSCRIPTIONS Annual Subscription rates (Inc. poscage)

for non-members and libraries:

Australia and New Zealand SA95.00

Overseas - surface mail $A95.00

- air mail SA95.O0 plus extra cost

Single copies $A25.00 -

Enquiries about subscriptions, payment of invoices,

and requests for back numbers should be directed to

the Executive Officer.

PUBLICATION DATES -Quarterly in February, May, August, and November.

CLEAN AIR is listed in Current Contents

DEADLINES FOR COPY Closing date for editorial material is first day of

month prior to month of issue. Three months may In-

required for referceing of Scientific and Technical

Arricles. 1

The opinions expressed by authors and contributors are

their own and do not necessarily represent the vicw of

the Society.

All material appearing in CLEAN AIR is copyright

Rcproduction in whole or in part is not pcrmitted

with out the written permission of the Clean air

SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

Indoor Air & Environment News 29 Special Interest Group on Indoor Air & Environment Forum to Establish Directions for a Healthy and Sustainable Built Environment News from the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate

Technical Paper:

M. Jamriska, D. Martin & L. Morawska: Investigation of the Filtration Efficiency of HEPA and ULPA Filters in Suhmicron Particle Size Range 31 High efficiency particulate and low penetration air filters used for control of clean room atmospheres or for providing other forms of contamination control are discussed. The results of a performance evaluation, undertaken at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, are presented.

News from the CASANZ NSW Branch 38 Remaking of New South Wales Clean Air Regulations

Australian Chamber of Manufactures News 39 New from Standards Australia NSW Trade Waste Conference Energy File NSW Hazardous Waste Licences NSW Electricity Levy is Anti-Competitive Wholesale Electricity Savings for Yamasa Draft National Environment Protection Measures Expected Electricity Contracts Hazardous Materials ACM Electricity Buying Group

Contributed Article:

P. Morgan: The South-East Queensland Regional Air Quality Strategy 41 The strategy being developed for management of air quality in South-East Queensland is discussed. Terms of reference for the development, tasks to be undertaken to complete the strategy, and emissions in the region, are covered.

Conferences Inside Back Cover

OUR COVER

The eastern suburbs of Brisbane featured are

within the South-East Queensland Regional Area

covered in an Air Quality Strategy currently being

developed. The development of the Strategy is

discussed within this issue. (Photo courtesy of

Naturally Queensland Photo Library, Queensland

Department of Environment and Heritage)

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE • Aerkern Pty Ltd • Anotec Pty Ltd • A.W.N. (Air Water Noise) Consultantss Pty Ltd

•CSIRO • Ecotech Pty Ltd • HLA - Enviroscience Pty Ltd • Kenelec Pty Ltd • Lear Siegler Australasia Pty Ltd • Oil Free Air Company . P.W. Stephenson and Associates

• P. Thomas Electronics Pty Ltd • Thomas Enviromental .Systems Pty Ltd

Conditions of Acceptance of Material for Publication

All contributions to this journal, including advertisements, are accepted for publication only on the basis that contributors and advertisers indemnify the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand, its servants and agents, against all liability whatsoever arising from those contributors and advertisements, and warrant that the material supplied by them complies with all legal requirements.

Page 2

President: Dr Neville Bofinger C/- Department of Chemistry Qld University of Technology GPO Box 2434, Brisbane Qld 4001 Tel: (07) 3864 2244 Fax: (07) 3864 1804 Email: n.bofinger@qut.edu.au

Deputy President: Len Ferrari c/- Team Ferrari 31 Agincourt Road Marsfield NSW 2122 Tel (02) 9869 8244 Fax (02) 9869 0516 F.mail: lferrari@ozemail.com.au

Immediate Past President: Mr Frank Fleer c/- AWN (Air Water Noise) Consultants Ptv Ltd 4/18 Thomas Street (PC) Box 155) Ferntree Gully Vic 3156 Tel: (03) 9758 729 Fax: (03) 9752 2694

Secretary: Dr l.idia Morawska d- Centre for Medical and Health Physics Qld University of Technology Tel: (07) 3864 2616 Fax: (07) 3864 1521 Email: l.morawska@qut.cdu.au

Treasurer: Mr R M Hope 50 Hannah Street, Beecroft NSW 2119 Tel: (02) 9484 1506 Fax: (02) 9484 1506 (Phone first for fax connection)

Executive Officer & Secretariat: Mr Geoff Angus Geoff Angus & Associates Pry Ltd 1 Denman Street, Mitcham Vic 3132 Tel: (03) 9872 5111 Fax: (03) 9872 5111

TRAINING ACTIVITIES EXECUTIVE (TAE)

Chairman: Dr Julian Higgs Horizon APC Pry Ltd PO Box 300 Doveton Vic 3177 Tel: (03) 9706 0100 Fax: (03) 9706 0102

Secretary: David Wainwright Tel: (07) 3227 6802 Fax: (07) 3224 7923

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIGS): Chairman

Indoor Air: Mr Steve Brown CSIRO P() Box 56 Highett Vic 3139 Tel: (03) 9252 6027 Fax: (03) 9252 6244 Email: steveb@mel.dbce.csiro.au

Modelling: I)r Nigel Holmes Holmes Air Sciences Suite 2B, 14 Glen Street Eastwood NSW 2122 Tel: (02) 9874 8644 Fax: (02) 9874 8904 Email: holmair@ozemail.com.au

Odour Mr Frank Fleer d- AWN (Air Water Noise) Consultants Pty Ltd 4/18 Thomas Street (PO Box 155) Ferntree Gully Vic 3156 Tel: (03) 9758 7299 Fax: (03) 9752 2694

Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1991

T' he following are the new-members who joined the

Society during April, May, June and July. We hope that their membership is both rewarding to themselves and their organisations and that they become personally involved in the activities of their respective Branches

NSW/ACT Branch Mr Simon Welchman HLA - Envirosciences Pty Ltd Environmental Engineer Ms Mandy McLeod CSR Timber Products Mr Shiraz Ahmed Ms Sarah England Glendale Coal Environment Manager

Mr Guna Gunashanhar Environment Protection Authority Air Quality Monitoring Officer

Mr John Sands John R Sands & Associates Pty Ltd Director

Queensland Branch Mr Robert Paris Ove Arup & Partners

Mr Ramses Zietek The University of Queensland Senior Research Assistant Environmental Engineer

Mr Neil Proposch Connell Wagner Pty Lid

MR FRITZ KAMST Kamst & Simpson Pty Ltd

Dr Lewis Atkinson Australian Meat Technology Manager Research & Information Services

Mr Christopher Lunney Pacific Air & Environment Environmental Engineer

DR KIYOUNG LEE Queensland University of Technology Lecturer

Page 4

New Zealand Branch Mr John Hill SAFE NZ Ltd Director

Victoria/Tasmania Branct Mr Rajesh Manihar Bonlac Foods Ltd Environmental Team Leader

Mr Jon Reeve Antarctic Division

Dr Melita Keywood CSIRO, Division of Atmospheric Research Postdoctoral Fellow

Mr Bryan Chatelier Nylex Corporation

South Australia Branch Mr Brian Dal ton

Austens; Marketing Pty Ltd ORGANISATION MEMBERS

NSW/ACT Branch Mr Brian Hobshawn Environment Australia

Mr Rob McLaggan lllawarra Coke Company Pty Ltd Environment & Projects Manager

New Zealand Branch Mr Paul Barrett Ravensdown Fertiliser Co-operative Ltd Quality & Environment

Technician

Mr Geoff Gervan Ravensdown Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd Works Chemist

Ms Irish Costelloe Milburn NX Ltd Environmental Co ordinator

Mr Tony Spierings Mi lburn NZ Ltd Technican Manager

Queensland Branch Mr Ian Bridge Brisbane City Council Senior Environmental Officer

Air Quality

South Australia Branch Mr Bill Cooper GNB Technologies Human Resources & Environment Manager

The organisation of the 1998 Clean Air Conference is the responsibility of the Victoria/Tasmania Branch, but we all share responsibility for the success of the Conference, and we should all consider how we can contribute. At the moment, the Organising Committee seeks high profile national or international figures as keynote speakers. Please send suggestions for suitable candidates to your Branch Secretary.

The theme chosen by the Committee for the conference is: Success Through Cooperation

Sessions will be held on the following topics in keeping with the above theme:

• Harmonising Environmental Management - Government and corporate, nationally and

internationally; • Partnerships and Technology Exchange

- Trade aid, government and business relationships; • Inter-regional Environmental Management

- Cross boundary impacts; • Global Change

- Politics, processes and effects; • Coastal Zone Management

- Planning land use, resources and transport; • Greening the City

- Livable cities; • Transport and the Environment

- Planning, technology and alternatives; • Air Pollution and Health

- Risk assessment, toxicology, criteria, epidemiology, public health;

• Cleaner Production - Clean Processes

- Examples and case studies.

(Sec notice inside back cover)

Neville Bofingcr, President

Clean Air Volume 31 N0.3. August 1997

Victoria/Tasmania Branch Mr Stuart Harrison ICI Watercare

Dr Richard Strauch Boral Limited Environmental Services Manager

Mr John Newton Australian Chamber of Manufactures

Mr Robert Lorenzon Australian Chamber of Manufactures

Western Australia Branch Ms Megan Senior Kanowna Belle Cold Mine Senior Environ mental Engineer

NSW/ACT BRANCH Mr B J Wyborn Pasminco Cockle Creek Smelter Manager, Site STUDENT MEMBERS

Victoria/Tasmania B. Mr Yoon Chin VICTORIAN BRANCH COMMITTEE NOTICE

The Victorian Branch holds monthly meetings where branch business is discussed and plans are made for future events. Members who would like to attend these meetings will be made most welcome. Anyone interested .should contact the Victorian Branch Secretary, Brian Winch, Tel & Fax (03)9421031.0.

The estimation of exposure to chemicals in the open air is integral ro the assessment of community health risks. In principle this estimation is best supplied by real time accurate monitoring of air pollutants.

Theoretically, monitoring to get complete geographical coverage of a region requires measurements at a large number of locations. Invariably this number of measuring sites is beyond the financial capacity of the community and a lesser number chosen on the basis of science, informed judgement, and unfortunately in some cases, on politics. A limited number of pollutants is measured, not specifically because of their toxicity, but because they are emitted by a wide range of processes and provide a good indication of overall air pollution. These measurements are supported by accompanying meteorological measurements. The lack of complete geographical coverage is made good by interpolating between stations using mathematical meteorological models.

However good the assessment of outdoor pollutant concentrations, it provides at best partial information on possible entry of toxic substances into the human body. Indoor pollution, either in the home or in the workplace are now recognised as being as important, or in some cases more important, than outdoor exposure. And of course, entry of toxics into the human body by inhalation can be enhanced or outweighed by entry via food and beverages.

Once inside the body the potential for a toxic substance to cause harm is governed by the response of the body's defence system to its presence. Basically, chemical processes within the body endeavour to convert foreign materials into substances that: can be discharged in the urine, or to a lesser extent exhaled. With some exceptions, if concentration of the toxic substance is not so great as ro overwhelm the defence system, the substance may be removed without lasting effects.

Assessments of the effects on the body of air pollutants, or their metabolic breakdown products, are made with the help of mathematical toxicological models, or are based on workplace exposures of humans to toxicants, (at much higher concentrations than occur in ambient air). If models are used, they will probably be based on the results of animal experiments. The extrapolation from effects on animals to effects on humans is a process laden with pitfalls. Allowance must be made for differences in metabolic processes, differences in body and specific organ weights and numerous other factors.

Uncertainties arise throughout the assessment of community exposure and the assessment of the effect of this exposure on various segments of the community. It is the role of the scientist to keep these uncertainties to a minimum.

Scientists working in the field of risk assessment or risk management see the placing of error bands on risk assessment figures as realistic and appropriate. They are happy with the concept, although they may debate the actual figures used. Error bands can be a difficulty with laypeople who may see substantial error bands as making the figures less than useful.

The complexity of air pollution itself and the subsequent involved processes of establishing exposure and health effects makes a fertile field for the growth instant experts.

Statements by 'experts' on community risk can confuse and alienate laypeople whose perception of the risk associated with many day-to-day activities already differs from that of science.

People working on risk management have a responsibility to see that their advice is soundly based. They should be prepared to send time and to exercise patience with public interest groups with whom they come in contact.

Risk perception and public education are topics that could be further aired in the Journal. Papers on this topic would be considered for publication.

Our regular series of breakfast seminars is now under way. It aims to cover a very broad range of environmental subjects of interest to members and others.

Times: 7:3Q-9:00am: After getting your continental breakfast (cost included), the speaker will start at 8am, leaving ample time for questions before a prompt close at 9am.

Venue: Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, Glenferrie Rd, Kooyong, Vic.Transport: Trams and trains stop outside, and there is ample parking through die main entrance.

Cost: Members: $25 each or $65 for three admissions; Non-members $30 each or $80 for three.

Coming up: 18th September '97 'Chemical Emergency Modelling', by Murray Herron, Land Data Solutions. Demonstration and report on use of PC software (plume model + CAMEO + GIS + Bureau of Stats data) used to model chemical emergencies from Geelong to Coode Island - results from a post-grad study.

16th October '97 'Environmental Reporting by Corporations: The Next Step', by Harry Blutstein, EPA Victoria. The talk will show that corporate environmental reporting offers real advantages, and that a number of steps need to be undertaken if it is to become widely practiced and credible. The steps include development of standards and involvement by stakeholders to shape and drive the process.

13th November '97 'Town Planning & Urban Design for a Better Environment', by Peter Newton. More details in a later message.

Registration and payment Please send a cheque payable to CASANZ, along with instructions about how many registrations and for which seminar(s), to CASANZ Seminars, 42 Grartcn Rd, Montrose, Vic 3765. You can pay on the clay, provided you tell us you're coming.

Inquiries: Call Graeme Lorimer on (03) 9728 5841.

Page 6 Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997

EXPLAINING HEALTH RISKS FROM AIR POLLUTION

Jack O'Heare

PRESIDENT'S COLUMN

PRESIDENT'S COLUMN

Neville Bofinger

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION MEASURE

I think that I will never understand fully why as a nation we cling so tenaciously to the State system, particularly when as a consequence we have non-uniformity in legislation in important areas such as road rules, ambulance and hospital systems, and in the regulations controlling air quality. I see no convincing argument for the need to have regional variations, particularly in ambient air quality, based on the political divisions of 200 years ago.

A most significant event in the history of management and regulation of air quality in Australia has occurred recently which will reduce its parochial nature. I refer of course to the release of the draft National Environment Protection Measure for ambient air quality, commonly known as the Air NEPM.

No doubt there will be differences of opinion over the content of the measure, but I hope that there will be consensus on the need for uniform air quality goals based on health criteria. There is little to support the idea that human responses to pollutant exposures are significantly different in the different 'jurisdictions' of the nation.

As well as presenting the arguments for the proposed ambient levels, this document is a most useful, up-to-date collation of the state of the air environment in the different cities of Australia, although in this, there may be some surprises.

The draft is now open for public comment and it is essential that the Society presents a submission on the NEPM. The overall response must come from Council through the Executive, but each Branch should prepare its own submission. I urge all Members to be involved in this process through the Branches. Each Branch will forward a copy of its submission to the Executive who will produce an Executive Summary of the Branch submissions and forward all of these to the NEPC as a single document with appendices.

WORKLOADS OF SOCIETY OFFICE-BEARERS

The nature and culture of our workplaces has changed dramatically over the past decade. The traditional stereotypes associated with every occupation, images held dearly by those outside the field, have crumbled away; where is the ivory tower isolation of the academic, the supposed insulation of the public servant from the public? In spite of the rhetoric of the 1980s which painted for us a seductive picture of enhanced leisure time, so abundant that we would have to be trained in how to enjoy it, those in work spend an increasing amount of time at work. User pays and economic rationalism are the sacred mantras of the 90s.

What has this to do with the Society? Well as you will be aware, there has been a groundswell of change in the Society over the past five years. We are moving towards a higher public profile and a more professional image, providing more services to members and to the environmental community: coordination of an increased number of Workshops and Conferences, expansion of the Training Course program, enhancement of the Journal. Increased activity requires an increased commitment of time from the organisers and office bearers; increasingly, the diminishing leisure and family time of the Society office-bearers is further eroded. Secretarial and administrative tasks, which in the past may have been alleviated by a supportive employer, now fall to the individual office-bearers. Such a situation limits our ability to implement good ideas and fresh approaches.

There are two strategies to help overcome this. In die first case, we need to increase the number of members who are active in Society affairs, an obvious solution that appears to be elusive in practice. I know that there are many people who are willing to help, but are unable to make a commitment for the lengdi of time required for, say, the Branch Committee. The load can be dispersed within Branches by the setting up of ad hoc subcommittees, each with a brief for a specific issue or function, where a member knows the time frame of the commitment. We can assist this process by inclusion ol

information on availability and expertise in the members' database so that selection lists can be compiled of those who have indicated an interest in a particular area and who could be invited to assist.

The second approach is to buy secretarial and administrative assistance. This is already occurring in the Executive and in the organisation of the Conference, and is being implemented in the Training Activities Executive. If a particular project languishes from lack of assistance that is available externally at a reasonable rate, then Branches and others arc encouraged to seek that support. It is expected that budgetary planning of each unit would include recovery of the costs of these services within the normal activities of the unit.

TRAINING ACTIVITIES

Training is a major part of the activities of the Society, providing a service to members and to the technical community. Through the Training Activities Executive we are maintaining the emphasis on training and on upgrading and developing the training programs. That we have a firm basis of material is due to the efforts of the previous Training Activities Committee, and here I must give credit and thanks to those people who worked tirelessly to establish and run training through the TAC. Although it is difficult to single out individuals from a team effort, I feel we should note the particularly fine work of Len Ferrari, Graham Johnson and David Johnson over the years.

The Training Activities Executive, building on the work of the previous TAC, has made an excellent start through training programs in Victoria/Tasmania, New Zealand and Queensland, with more courses planned and programs under development. In particular, the New Zealand course has been most beneficial and has given a great boost to the Society in that country. I here is a continuing interest in AUSPLUME courses both in Australia and New Zealand; AUSPUFF? - look for developments in training activities in the near future. [See also Nevi l le 's i t em on the 1998 conference, page 4, ed.]

Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997 Page 7

PROGRESS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION MEASURES

National Environment Protection Measures (NEPMs) are broad framework setting statutory instruments. They are designed to provide all Australians with equivalent protection from pollution and to provide industry with consistent national standards. Measures may consist of any combination or goals, standards, protocols and guidelines.

On 12 June 1997 the National Environment Protection Council (NEPC), a joint Commonwealth - State/Territory Ministerial Council, agreed to the release for public comment of a draft Measure and impact statement for a National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) and an official's discussion paper on a proposed Measure for ambient air qualify.

NATIONAL POLLUTANT INVENTORY

Council resolved to prepare a draft Measure for a National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) in November 1996. The Measure development process was built upon an extensive amount of work conducted by the Commonwealth to develop the NPI concept and trial its use in Australia. Prior to 1996/97, the Commonwealth Government invested approximately $5.9 million in developing the proposed NPI. The Commonwealth has committed approximately $4 million for implementation of the Measure over the next 3 years.

Goals

The goals of the NPI Measure are to provide for better management by the community, industry and government of existing and potential impacts of emissions to the environment to assist in achieving:

• the maintenance and improvement of ambient air quality and ambient marine, estuarine and fresh water quality-die minimisation of environmental impacts associated with hazardous wastes; and an expansion in the re-use and recycling of used materials.

The NPI Measure is intended to provide information to enhance and facilitate policy formulation and decision making for environmental planning and management. It will also provide publicly accessible and available information, on a geographic basis, about specified emissions being released to the environment, especially those of a hazardous nature or involving significant impact. The NPI Measure will promote and facilitate waste minimisation and cleaner production programmes for industry, government and the community.

The NPI Measure will detail the types and amounts of 95 proposed substances (36 in the first year) entering different areas of the environment, will demonstrate trends in these emissions, and will highlight areas where data gaps currently exist.

Draft protocols

A series of protocols have been drafted as part of the Measure to manage the collection of data. These protocols cover, amongst other things, the collection of data from reporting facilities, jurisdictional discretion regarding requirements for facilities to report, emissions estimation

techniques (including aggregated emissions), validation of reported data, and the transfer and supply of information to the Commonwealth. The detail of these protocols is currently being developed by jurisdictions.

Draft guidelines

Guidelines have also been drafted as part of the Measure which provide further guidance relevant to the Measure, such as processes for amending the reporting list, confidentiality, security and the rights of third parties. Other guidelines address enforcement provisions and the legal status of data supplied under the Measure.

Implementation

A cooperative Commonwealth-State/Territory approach to the NPI Measure is envisaged so that it will be implemented by jurisdictions. All jurisdictions will need to collect and collate data which would be further collated and disseminated by the Commonwealth. The draft database is currently available for comment on the Internet at the following address: www.environment.gov.au/net/npi.html

Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY

In June 1996 Council resolved to make a Measure for ambient air quality for the following six pollutants: carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, photochemical oxidant (as ozone), sulfur dioxide, lead and particles. The Council agreed that the Measure would contain standards and a monitoring and reporting protocol.

The first phase of the development process has focused principally on the collection, synthesis and analysis of technical scientific and economic information. The resulting discussion paper puts forward a set of proposed air quality standards and a monitoring and reporting protocol, and documents, within the limits of available information, the expected benefits and potential costs of adopting the proposed Measure.

Goal

The goal of the proposed Measure is the protection of human health and well-being.

Proposed standards

The proposed standards provide targets for environmental quality which, if met, will ensure that the goal of the Measure is achieved.

Proposed protocol

It is essential that compliance with any standards established in the Measure be monitored and reported in the same way in

all jurisdictions. This will ensure that conclusions about air quality and what improvements may be required are assessed on a common basis. To achieve this the proposed monitoring and reporting protocol requires adherence to Australian Standard Methods (or appropriate alternatives) and NATA accreditation (or an approved alternative).

The proposed protocol specifies the minimum number of monitors based on population, and requires that these be deployed to best represent population exposure. Where it would not be cost effective to conduct physical monitoring, such as in sparsely populated regions or small towns with few emissions, the proposed protocol provides for the use of alternatives.

To reinforce the need for a consistent approach to monitoring and reporting, under the proposed protocol jurisdictions are required to submit ambient monitoring plans for approval by Council. A Peer Review Committee of Council is proposed to advise on and develop procedures and methodologies including air quality monitoring plans.

The obligation for reporting in accordance with the proposed protocol will fall on governments.

Implications of the proposed Measure

Where the proposed standards are not currently being met, strategies to improve air quality will need to be developed and implemented. The discussion paper

anticipates that jurisdictions will aim towards programs which will ensure compliance over a ten year period. This fairly long time frame takes the following factors into account. The period required for the development of agreed airshed management strategies, the slow turn-over of the Australian vehicle fleet, the long investment cycles of industry and the long time period required to effectively influence and change community behaviour patterns which have an adverse effect on air quality.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Copies of the draft NPI Measure and impact statement, and the Air NEPM discussion paper can be obtained from the NEPC Service Corporation. They can also be downloaded from the Internet at www. nepc.gov.au.

Submissions on both documents should be made to the NEPC Service Corporation.

The address is: NEPC, Level 5, 81 Flinders Street, Adelaide, SA 5000. Fax (08) 8224 0912. Phone (08) 8419 1200. Email exec@nepc.gov.au. The due dates for submission are: Draft NPI Measure and impact statement -COB Tuesday 26 August 1997 Air NEPM discussion paper -COB Monday 1 September 1997.

The Australian and World Heritage Group

The Australian and World Heritage Group draws together Australia's national and international heritage functions. While located in the Group, the Australian Heritage Commission still performs its statutory functions and provides independent statutory advice to the Minister.

Responsibilities of the Australian Heritage Commission include identifying and providing conservation advice for Australia's indigenous, natural and historic heritage places and compiling the Register of the National Estate.

The Group's World Heritage responsibilities include providing advice to the Government on the implementation of the World Heritage Convention within Australia, identifying natural and cultural areas of World Heritage value and nominating them for inclusion on the

World Heritage List and ensuring the proper management of existing world heritage properties.

Biodiversity Group

The Biodiversity Group draws together a wide range of nature conservation functions including the statutory obligations of the Director, National Parks and Wildlife and the sustainable use of land and water. The Group replaces the former Australian Nature Conservation Agency.

The Group manages or co-manages with the Aboriginal traditional owners seventeen parks, reserves and other land and marine protected areas. It has responsibilities under Commonwealth legislation for endangered species, marine wildlife and the regulation of the export and import of wildlife. It administers Australia's obligations under a number of international agreements and supports scientific research.

The Group, in cooperation with State and Territory agencies, has carriage for Environment Australia of a range of programs delivered through the Natural Heritage Trust. These will include key programs such as the National Vegetation Initiative, Landcare, the National Land and Water Audit, and Rivercare.

Environment Protection Group

The Environment Protection Group replaces the former Environment Protection Agency. Its charter is to protect and enhance the environment of Australia through national leadership and to find solutions to environmental problems particularly those arising from pollution through cooperative endeavours with all levels of government, business and the community.

The Group's activities cover a diverse range of responsibilities including environmental impact assessment, air and

Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997 page 9

water quality, national environmental standards, waste minimisation and cleaner production. The Environment Protection Group has also been given the added responsibilities of climate change and greenhouse.

The Group has carriage of the Government's national and international obligations arising from a number of international conventions and protocols to which Australia is a part)', including those dealing with ozone, wastes, marine pollution and chemicals.

The Office of the Supervising Scientist and the Environmental Research Institute for the Supervising Scientist are located within the Group. The Supervising Scientist has a key role in the oversight of uranium mining in the Alligator River region of the Northern Territory.

Portfolio Marine Group

The Marine Group advises on, develops and secures the integrated implementation of policies and programs for the conservation and sustainable use of the coastal and marine environment. This includes the development of the Coast and Clean Seas Initiatives, administered under the Natural Heritage Trust, the development of an Oceans Policy, implementation of the Commonwealth Coastal Policy and the Coastal Action Program, development of the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas and coordination of the Government's national and international

obligations in relation to a range of marine and coastal issues.

Environment Priorities and Coordination Group

The Environmental Priorities and Coordination Group focuses on international, inter-governmental, economic and environmental information matters and manages major cross portfolio activities.

The Group has carriage of State of the Environment Reporting process, the implementation of the National Forest Policy Statement in cooperation with Commonwealth agencies and State Governments, and oversight of the National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development.

It manages the Environmental Resources Information Network, a computerised data network which stores a vast array of environmental information and is accessed through the internet.The Group has carriage of the review of Commonwealth-State roles and responsibilities for the environment, as well as the review of the Commonwealth's environmental legislation.

The Group supports the portfolio with economic analysis of environmental problems and possible policy responses within the framework of die Government's broad economic and social priorities. It also administers the Grants to Voluntary Conservation Organisations Program.

Statutory Authorities

The formation of Environment Australia does not impact on the statutory functions and independence of statutory functions and independence of statutory advice from die Australian Heritage Commission, the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, all of which are part of the Environment, Sport and Territories portfolio.

Natural Heritage Trust

The $1.25 billion Natural Heritage Trust is the largest environmental rescue program ever undertaken in Australia. Ultirrjately the Trust will deliver what all Australians want - cleaner beaches, healthier rivers and waterways, less air pollution, more productive land, and expanded programs to protect our endangered species.

The major programs to be funded under the Trust are:

• Bushcare (the National Vegetation Initiative)

• Murray-Darling 2001 • National Landcare Program • Coasts and Clean Seas Initiative • National Rivercare Initiative

Environment Australia and die Natural Heritage Trust Tel: (06) 274 1221 Email: www.erin.gov.au

page 10

Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997

AUSTRALIAN GAS GROWTH REQUIRES REFORM AND INVESTMENT

The largest requirement for private sector capital investment in gas since the North West Shelf project will be needed between 1997 and 2005 to ensure adequate gas supplies for growing Australian demand, as well as expanded gas exports.

The Australian Gas Association (AGA) Gas Supply and Demand Study 1997, forecasts a trebling of natural gas consumption in the period to 2030.

According to AGA Chief Executive Ian Woodward, the Study demonstrates Australia has sufficient gas resource capability to meet accelerating demand, provided new multi-billion dollar pipeline and field investments are made. This is critical if eastern Australia is to have sufficient gas available early next century.

'The Study forecasts increasing interstate gas trade, new pipelines, additional exploration, and the creation of an integrated pipeline grid. National gas industry reform is the key to facilitating new investments and stimulating the market', Mr. Woodward said.

Major points in the Study include: • Natural gas will be Australia's fastest

growing energy source to 2030 with gas raising its national primary energy share from 18 percent to above 28 percent

• Western Australia, followed by Victoria and NSW, will be the largest gas consuming State by 2030

• Australia's proved and probable gas reserves are equivalent to 80 years supply at current consumption rates

• Australian gas consumption is forecast to increase around threefold from 784 PJ in 1995-96 to between 2084 and 2112 PJ in 2029-30. LNG exports should increase from 7.3 million tonnes to 21.5 million tonnes over the same period

• Western Australia and the Northern Territory will have no difficulties in meeting projected substantial increases in gas demand, both domestic and export

• Eastern Australia requires additional supplies of gas from within the region (including increased production from existing basins and coal seam methane) to meet projected forecast demand between 2000 and 2008 and needs longer distance supplies to meet forecast demand to 2030

• Public policy issues on land access (including Native Title), planning approvals, fiscal regimes and energy sector reform will have a significant impact on investment decisions and the cost of new gas infrastructure.

The Study builds upon previous reports published in 1985, 1988 and 1992.

Further information contact: Ian Woodward, AGA Chief Executive Tel: (06) 247 3955 (a/h) (06) 231 8765 (mobile) 0418 480 023

George Webb, AGA Research Manager Tel: (06) 247 3955

M IM'S MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES IN NORTH WEST QUEENSLAND

MIM's decision to purchase natural gas under long-term contract from south­west Queensland will bring major economic and environmental advantages for north-west Queensland and the broader community, MIM's Chief Executive, Mr Nick Stump, said.

MIM will provide WMC Fertilizers with waste sulfur dioxide from its copper smelter.

As a result:

• Emissions of carbon dioxide, the principal greenhouse gas, are expected to reduce by at least 40%

• Sulphur dioxide emissions, vented into the atmosphere as a waste from Mount Isa's smelting operations, will be reduced by 80%.

MIM today announced it will participate in the Commonwealth Government's Greenhouse Challenge in co-operation with the Queensland Government.

In contracting to purchase gas for the Mica Creek Power Station at Mount Isa, MIM has ensured gas will be brought to the region. This has enabled W M C Fertilizers Limited to make a decision to proceed with its fertilizer project based on the Duchess phosphate deposit. Gas is an essential feedstock in fertilizer manufacture.

MIM will be providing to WMC Fertilizers the waste sulphur dioxide from its copper smelter for fertiliser production, achieving an 80% reduction in overall sulphur dioxide emissions from the Mount Isa operation and turning a waste into a useful resource.,

Mr Stump said 'we already have a program in place at Mount Isa to identify ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce green house gas emissions. This has resulted in a 15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 1990'.

Major initiatives implemented include:

• Using water sent underground for cooling to generate electricity. At a depth of 1100 metres, MIM has the deepest hydro-electrical plant in Australia.

• Capturing waste heat from the smelting processes to generate electricity, removing the need to burn 45,000 tonnes of coal each year,

• Scheduling the use of mine ventilation fans to save power when the activity level is low.

For further information: Collin Myers General Manager Corporate Affairs Tel: (07) 3833 8285

STANDARDS AGREEMENT -AN AUSTRALIAN FIRST

The first major agreement authorising an industry body to develop and issue Australian Standards outside Standards Australia was signed today in Melbourne by Standards Australia (SA) and the Australian Gas Association (AGA).

AGA will be designated as a Standards Development Organisation, bringing gas industry codes of practice into the national system of Australian Standards while retaining industry ownership, responsibility and funding.

Over the past 30 years AGA has developed over 60 gas industry codes/standards covering relevant technical and safety requirements in the downstream gas sector. The standards relate to supply, installation and appliance applications affecting more than 2.9 million gas consumers throughout Australia.

AGA's Board will shortly establish the Gas Technical Standards C ouncil (GTSC) to coordinate gas standards committees and oversee the transition from industry codes of practice to Australian Standards.

The SA/AGA Agreement should deliver substantial benefits including: continuing flexibility to update standards quickly to meet technological changes in a cost effective and market responsive way major opptunities for Australian gas

Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997 Page 11

appliance manufacturers to export products designed to meet a national standard; and assistance to import the best overseas gas products by progressively harmonising the Australian Standards with international standards in the gas industry.

For further information contact:

AGA - Malcolm Grieve, Public Affairs Manager Tel: (06) 247 3955 Mobile: 018 627 995

SA - Jack Moncrieff, Public Affairs Manager Tel: (02) 9746 4700

$3.55 BILLION AIR POLLUTION MONITORING & SAMPLING MARKET BY 2O01

Worldwide sales of air pollution monitoring and sampling equipment and services will rise from a 1996 annual sales level of $2.4 billion to $3.55 billion in the year 2001. Source emissions will generate revenues of $3.1 billion whereas ambient air measurements will account for $450 million. This growth rate of 46 percent over the six year period is one of the forecasts in a new report by the McIlvaine Company entitled Air Pollution Monitoring & Sampling World Markets 1997-2001.

The market is divided into instruments and systems (53 percent), testing services (40 percent) and supplies (7 percent).

The utility industry is the largest purchaser and accounts for over 20 percent of total revenues. Much of the utility activity is concentrated in Asia where many coal-fired boilers are under construction.

Data acquisition system revenues have grown proportionately faster than other components. Automatic tracking, compilation and transfer of data to enforcement agencies is routine in the developed countries.

There are relatively few instrument makers. The U.S., Japan, and Western Europe are leaders in this category, and U.S. exports of instruments to Asia have soared over the last few years. There are large numbers of system integrators who purchase instruments, data acquisitions systems, and other system components and then take responsibility for the design, installation, and initial operation of the monitoring systems. There are even larger numbers of stack testing companies. However, none of these stack testers are international.

The market for ambient monitoring systems is relatively small in developed countries. However, the U.S. has passed regulations to require ambient monitoring of very small particles. This will entail substantial numbers of new instruments. Asia is presently the largest market for ambient networks.

Air Pollution Marketing & Sampling World Markets 1997-2001 is over 1000 pages in length. In addition to forecasts by industry and region, there is exclusive coverage of regulations in major countries. Market share information of hundreds of companies is also included.

Mcllvaine Company, 2970 Maria Avenue, Northbrook, IL 60062. Phone: 874/272-0010, Fax: 874/272-9673, On-line: 874/272-0167 (mcinfo) Internet:: http://members.aol.com/mcilvneweb/mci nfo.html

NEW HOPE OF CONTROLLING ASTHMA ATTACKS

Researchers have found a link between asthma attacks and infection by the common cold virus.

The discovery was made during a study of the severity and incidence of asthma attacks by doctors at Southampton University School of Medicine in southern England. T h e team's Dr. Sebastian Johnston said: 'The strength of the link was an unexpected and exciting finding'.

In their investigations, involving a group of local schoolchildren, the researchers spent several years looking for the presence or absence of the cold viruses each time a child had an asthma attach and found that in over 80 per cent of cases, asthma and the cold viruses w e n t 'hand in hand'. One particular type, the rhinoviruses, were found in 50 per cent of cases.

Dr. Johnston continued: 'These results convinced us that we were on the right track but left many questions unanswered. What was the virus doing there, was it present in the lungs, h o w long for, was it more persistent in asthmatics and if so, why? We needed to extend our studies to look for the virus in the lung and to see what effect it would have on asthma'.

The team will now further advance its research as a result of a £7,000 gift, which has enabled it to introduce a new type of DNA amplification device. Dr. Johnston said 'we can use the machine to see exactly where in the airways and lung the virus is, and in exactly which type ofcell. For this project, fine localisation, which up to now has been impossible, will be invaluable. We want to understand at the DNA level what is going on and why this link exists.

We hope to identify ways of controlling the influence of the cold rhinovirus in triggering attacks so tha t people at risk can have another way of combating asthma.'

For further information contact:

Dr. Sebastian Johnston, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, England S 0 9 5NH; Tel: +44 1703 592116 Fax: +44 1703 593285

[Source: Medical News from Britain, May 1997]

Page 12 Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997

CLEANER PRODUCTION DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

Good Environmental Practice -Good Outcome

The recently completed Cleaner Production Demonstration Project has involved the Federal Government's Environment Australia working closely with industry to improve production processes, save resources, improve product quality and maintain a competitive edge.

Cieaner production involves reviewing and improving the processes of production in companies to reduce their environmental impact and produce cost savings.

The 10 companies involved in the Cleaner Production Demonstration Project have shown that cleaner production works. All are now more efficient, have saved money and have reduced their impact on the environment.

They were: • Schweppes Cottee's • ACI Glass Packing • Australia Meat Holdings • Austcast • Moore Business Systems • Bonlac Foods • Nowra Chemicals

• Hotel Kurrajong • Holden's Engine Company • CSR Products.

Australia's Cleaner Production Future

A National Strategy will be developed by a Cleaner Production Taskforce comprised of representatives from State and Territory government bodies, together with industry, academic and environment non­government sectors.

Bottle manufacture at the ACI glass packaging plant

The Taskforce will examine: • regulatory barriers to cleaner

production (such as license fees) • incentive schemes • technical training requirements • insurance and finance issues

• the use of ISO 14000 to promote cleaner production

• the effective use of internet resources, such as EnviroNET Australia

• adoption of environmental accounting • non-financed incentive schemes.

The Taskforce will produce discussion papers and call for submissions to ensure that any strategy developed adequately represents the views from all interested people and organisations.

If you would like the opportunity to influence the direction of cleaner production in Australia, please contact Megan Scott on 06 274 1923 to be added to the mailing list for Taskforce discussion papers. A draft strategy will be available in December 1997.

Your contribution could change Australia's cleaner production future.

For further information about the Cleaner Production Demonstration Project contact:

The Environment Protection Agency Tel: (06) 274 1923 Fax: (06) 274 1640

Ian Woods, Dames & Moore Tel: (02) 9955 7772 Fax: (02) 9955 7324

Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997 Page 13

Significant Changes in the ACGIH 1997 Threshold Limit (TLVs): The following chemicals have been selected to highlight the reductions in levels that have occurred for the 1997 ACGIH TLVs and are compared to the equivalent Australian Standards. The ACGIH TLV/BEI booklet is available in Australia from the Aust. Institute of Occupational Hygienists for $24 (inch postage), Tel: (03) 9335 2577 Fax: (03) 9335 3454 Email: aioh@curtin.edu.au

1997 ACGIH 1995 Aust. Exposure Standards Benzene 0.5 ppm TWA 2.5 ppm STEL 5 ppm TWA 16 ppm STEL Dinitrotoluene 0.2mg/m3 TWA 1.5 mg/m3 TWA Epichlorhydrin 0.5 ppm TWA 2 ppm TWA Methyl Acrylate 2 ppm TWA 10 ppm TWA Methyl Bromide 1 ppm TWA 5 ppm TWA Styrene Monomer 20 ppm TWA 40 ppm STEL 50 ppm TWA 100 ppm STEL

Substances which may be Environmentally Hazardous: will be listed in Appendix 8 of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG) 6th Edition under Generic or N.O.S. Names. As their will be no criteria for assigning Environmentally Hazardous Substances in the ADG 6th Edition, under UN 3077 & 3082 lists of Environmentally Hazardous Substances there will be a consolidated list from various international and national lists of environmentally hazardous substances. This list is intended to advise of which substances may need this classification, particularly if being shipped by sea. Each of the chemicals should be considered on a case by case basis, as there is no Australian requirement in the ADG 6th Edition, to assign these UN numbers for road and rail transport. For more information contact your local Competent Authority for Transport of Dangerous Goods.

Tasmanian Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances: was made available for public comment again as Part 4 Division 2 and Schedules 1 & 2, of the Draft Workplace Health & Safety Regulations 1997. Other key areas such as Plant, Confined Space, Personal Protective Equipment and Asbestos Regulations are also included in the one regulatory document. For a copy contact Marijke Addison, Workplace Standards Authority Tel: (03) 6233 7658. Comments were required 30th June 1997.

Worksafe WA are Checking to Ensure all MSDS for Hazardous Substances have been Supplied to the WA Commissioner: If you haven't supplied your MSDS for hazardous substances to the WA Commissioner then be warned. Supply is also deemed acceptable if your MSDS are available on the Internet. This requirement is also mirrored in other States where MSDS for hazardous substances must be supplied to the Worksafe Australia Repository. As at May 1997 Worksafe Australia has not advised its preferred method of receiving these MSDS, so please contact Worksafe Australia Tel: 1800 252 226, before also sending to them. PACIA has set up the Chemsafe CD-ROM together with ACOHS Pty Ltd, as a way of easily making available manufacturers MSDS to Worksafe WA, Worksafe Australia, and to employers for their employees. Contact PACIA Tel: (03) 9699 6299 and ACOHS Tel: (03) 9870 6944 for details and costs.

Respiratory Sensitisers Classification Criteria in Europe: was recendy revised. They now focus on the evidence for a substances ability to cause asthma rather than on the underlying mechanism. This is because there is uncertainty and inconclusive evidence about the mechanism(s) involved for almost all low molecular weight substances that can cause asthma. Agents causing asthma could act through one or more mechanisms which are immunologically, directly toxic (e.g. irritant) or others which are less well characterised. A 'respiratory sensitiser' is a substance with the potential to act, through whatever mechanism, to create a situation of airway hypersensitivity where none previously existed. The new criteria achieve the important benefit of shifting the focus on to the induction of the disease and away from the mechanistic restrictions. Those substances that only provoke symptoms of asthma in people whose airways are already preconditioned to be hyperresponsive are provokers and are not respiratory sensitisers, e.g. cold air, stress or exercise can provoke asthma symptoms. To avoid confusion with the old definition or respiratory sensitisers the term 'asthmagen' will be increasingly used in some countries, such as the UK.

From Medichem Newsletter, April 1997, p6. For more details see the original article in the UK HSE, Toxic Substances Bulletin, January 1997.

Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances (June 1996 Inventory): will become available by July 1997 as part of the 'National Chemical Inventories' (NCI), CD-ROM product available from Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) in the USA. NCI contains inventories from Canada, the US, European Commission, Korea, Japan and Australia for a total of 175,000 substances. NCI is updated twice a year and allows simultaneous access to 4 users. The price is US$1,995 for the first year, to be renewed for US$1,295 the following year. A brochure and demo disk are available from Irene Jarrett, CAS International Marketing, Email: ijarrett@cas.org, Tel: 0011 1 614 447 3776 American Chemical Society. It is also intended, within the next year, to market a stand alone CD-ROM product with only the Australian Inventory, at a reduced price. Hazardous Substances continued on page 16.

Source: Jeff Simpson, Hazteeh Environmental, Tel: (03)98851269, Emails jHmpson@bastech.com.au

Page 14 Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997

PACKAGING FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Packaging is often seen as a waste problem rather than the solution to waste. But nowhere is that further from the truth than food packaging, which is essential in preventing food wastage and food loss. Gerard van Rijswijk and Jan Grossrieder of the Association of Liquid paperboard Carton Manufacturers (ALC) drove this point home in a presentation 'Packaging as a Tool for Sustainability' in Newcastle, recently.

Public perception suggests that food packaging is a major form of waste, but in fact, a study by the Danish EPA and Consumer Agency indicates that households create more waste from food than packaging. A better approach, suggested Mr. van Rijswijk, would be a holistic view of domestic resource consumption and greater concentration on those areas where greatet impact reduction can be achieved - i.e. food delivery systems and elimination of food wastage.

Food waste comprises on average 20% of household waste, even in societies which use packaging extensively, food waste between farm and family in developed countries is typically 1-3% In developing countries, that figure soars to

40%. FAO studies suggest some 40% of world harvests go to waste, much of which could be reduced by intelligent use of packaging.

Mr. van Rijswijk's presentation embraced the environmental concept of Reduce, Re-use, Recycle by demonstrating the packaging industry's adaptation to greater conservation of resources. There is now more lightweight packaging in use due to changes in components and design. This reduces the use of materials, energy costs, refrigeration, and centralised processing.

In transportation, crates, bulk containers and pallets are reused, and manufactures, retailers and households in general recycle products that are then manufactured into other products.

'With the knowledge that world population will reach 10 billion by the middle of next century', Mr. van Rijswijk pointed out, 'it will become more important to recognise the role of packaging in optimising our use of food as a resource'.

'Packaging can bring about a reduction in the rate of food loss, resulting in a lowering of the impact of food production. Packaging is an essential tool for a sustainable future.'

For more information, please contact Gerard van Rijswijk ALC Tel: (02) 9954 4588

Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997 Page 15

Dairy Farmers embraces the environmental concept of Reduce, Re-use, Recycle of their cartons.

Newly Adopted National Exposure Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants:

Substance CAS TWA. TWA Carcinogen Notices ppm mg/m3 Category

Methylene Chloride 75-09-2 50 174 3 Skin Absorption Methyl n-Butyl Ketone 591-78-6 5 20 - Skin Absorption Triethanolamine 102-71-6 - 5 - Sensitiser

Copies of the exposure standard documentation are available from the AGPS Tel: 132 447, and are also expected to be available from the Internet site, http://worlcsafe.gov.au/worksafe/home.htm.

Amendments to the Guidance Note on the Interpretation of Exposure Standards: has had two amendments made to it. An addition of a new chapter on Mineral Oil Additives and amended text on Chapter 17 - Fumes and Gases from Welding and Cutting Processes.

Both items from the Chemical Gazette, Comm. of Aust., 6 May 1997.

Industrial Chemicals (Notification & Assessment) Amendment Bill 1997: and its Explanatory Memorandum where tabled in Federal Parliament on the 26th March 1997. It includes several changes of significance to all companies importing or manufacturing chemicals in Australia. The Explanatory Memorandum highlights the following expected areas to be changed.

1. Register of Industrial Chemicals Notifiers, which will require all persons exceeding $500,000 chemical value to pay a registration charge, $1,200 or $7,000 (if over $5m), to fund the costs of assessing Priority Existing Chemicals. Those introducers in the $500k to $5m chemical value range, will be required to keep records necessary to calculate this chemical value, for 5 years. It is estimated about 600 businesses will pay the lower charge and 190 will pay the higher charge.

2. Early Introduction of Non-Hazardous Chemicals, to allow the chemical to be introduced before the assessment is complete.

3. Exemption for Notification & Assessment for chemicals in <10kg quantities, where the chemical does not impose an unreasonable risk to OH&S, public health or the environment that the introducer knows of.

4. Extension of Assessment Certificates, to allow subsequent introducers of a new industrial chemical to obtain an extension to the original assessment with provisos of information requirements being met and approval of the original certificate holder. Currently NICNAS is required to duplicate work already done.

5. Assessment of Priority Existing Chemicals (PECs), will have a stand-alone part of the Act, which will overcome current difficulties in collecting information about chemicals prior to their declaration as PECs. All those persons currently asked for information will be required to provide information, and may be subject to a fine if it is not provided. Based on anticipated revenue, about 10 comprehensive assessments and 40 more limited targeted assessments on PECs will be completed every three years.

6. Chemicals in the Confidential Section of the Inventory, will allowed to be confidential for five years, and the possibility of continued 5 years extensions to remain in the confidential section, provided the Director is satisfied that the prejudice to the applicants commercial interests outweighs the public interest in the publication of the name and CAS number. Chemicals already transferred out of the confidential sections may be reincluded under this section. The current arrangements cancel confidentiality after six years, which is likely to have discouraged the introduction of new chemicals in Australia.

7. Trade Name Products, which were originally included in the Inventory, will be able to be removed after 12 months, from rhe Inventory, if the introducers fail to provide the chemical names and CAS numbers when formally requested by the Director.

If you have any concerns regarding this bill contact your industry representative, e.g. PACIA Tel: (03) 9699 6299 or your Member of Parliament. The second reading of this Bill is expected by July 1997. The Bill and the Explanatory Memorandum are both available for $6.50 each from the Aust. Govt. Publishing Service (AGPS) Tel: 13 2447. The Bill and rhe Ministers presentation of the Bill are both available to be downloaded from http://www.aph.gov/pubs/bills.html when the next reading occurs this will also be available from this site!

DR97032 Amendment 2 to AS/NZS 4360:1995 - Risk Management: This Draft Amendment will make it consistent with AS/NZS 3931(Int)-l995, Risk analysis of technological systems - Applications guide. 7 pages costs $4.

Source: Jeff Simpson, Haztech Environmental, Teh (03)9885 1269, Email: jsimpson@haztech.com.au

Page 16 Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997

THE ENGINEER'S RESPONSE TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The World Federation of Engineering Organisations Report to the Earth Council

This report was presented to the Rio meeting in March by Jim Poirot, chairman of ComTech.

The Earth Council sought information on progress related to the Rio Principles and Agenda 21; progress on implementation of Rio agreements, critical issues and priorities, success stories and lessons learned, policy gaps and constraints, values and principles underpinning successful practices.

Some of the Areas Covered

Engineering Education

Universities are beginning to incorporate the principles of sustainable development into the engineering curriculum, but education generally has been slow to respond.

Cleaner Production

CP is a sustainable development objective relating to many engineering disciplines in a broad range of industries. The profession must aim to create a professional capacity to understand and implement Cleaner Production and sustainable development objectives at all levels of responsibility, world wide.

Technological Dissemination and Progress

In pursuit of its mission to 'lead the engineering profession worldwide in the promotion and application of sustainable technologies', ComTech is developing programmes to give access to these technologies, not only through its Network, but also by E-mail pairing of engineers, engineering exchange programmes, WFEO ComTech News, and the assessment of sustainable development technologies.

The Report gave a number of instances of progress of technology, such as:

• The use of furnace slag as reading material in Australia

• New water treatment systems in China • An increasing proportion of power

from wind generation in Denmark

• Methane fuelled power from municipal waste in Ind ia

• The Tainan Technology Industrial Park in Taiwan w h i c h incorporates reduction of t h e development area, efficient use of water, and establishment of wildlife and ecology reserves.

Hurdles to be Overcome

Three major issues identified were: • The urgent need for creation of

national pol icy frameworks supporting sustainable development

• The wide variation that exists of the perception of responsibility to future generations

• The downgrading of environmental concerns in t imes of economic decline.

The full R e p o r t can be accessed on ComTech's h o m e page. The address is: http://www.wenet.org and select ComTech.

More from David Thorn (fax +64 9520 4 6 9 5 , E-mail: dthom@ihug.co.nz) or James Poirot (fax +1 303 2205 106, E-mail: PoirotJ@aol.com)

[Source W F E O Newsletter No 2, 17/2/1997]

Clean Air Volume 31 N0.3. August 1997 Page 17

AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES: PEOPLES VIEWS AND PRACTICES 1996

Main Findings

• The percentage of people stating that they consider environmental protection to be as important as economic growth has remained steady at around 70% since 1992

• Over the past four years, the number of people reporting that they had environmental concerns has decreased (68% in 1996 as opposed to 75% in 1992)

• The survey revealed that the people most concerned about the environment were aged between 35 and 44 years; women (except for the topics of pollution and land degradation); people in professional occupations; those with high incomes, and/or tertiary education

• Air pollution continues to be the environmental problem of greatest concern for Australians, with 3 1 % of people reporting this as their major concern. This has dropped from 40% in 1992 and 34% in 1994

• The main social issues of importance to Australians in 1996 were crime (26% of respondents), health (23%), education (15%), unemployment (14%) and environmental problems (98%)

• Most people (44%) reported that they felt that over the last 10 years the quality of the environment had declined. This was followed by those who thought it had stayed much the same (26%). Around 23% believed that the quality of the environment had improved.

Contents

1. Environmental views, concerns and issues Main findings Views on environmental protection and economic growth Environmental concerns Environmental and social/economic concerns Perceived quality of the environment

2. Household waste management Main findings Recycling Hazardous waste

3. Motor vehicle ownership and maintenance Main findings Motor vehicle ownership Motor vehicle maintenance

4. Use of transport Main findings Transport for shopping trips Transport to work/study

Recommended Retail Price $19.50 Available from Governmenr Booksellers.

THE ULTIMATE IN OIL-FREE COMPRESSORS FROM CHAMPION

Australian compressor manufacturer Champion has added the ultimate in oil-free compressor technology to its range through its sole distributorship of the market leading Japanese manufactured IHI Tx Series centrifugal compressors.

Where indusrry srandards require clean compressed air with no risk of product contamination, oil free compressors are the only sure answer.

Conventional oil-free screw compressors have always been disadvantaged by high maintenance costs resulting from undue wear in the roller bearing systems needed to keep precise clearances of rotary elements.

The logical oil-free compressor design is therefore a centrifugal, rather than a rotary screw configuration. Other benefits are low vibration and noise.

With their exclusive high performance three-dimensional titanium impellers and far fewer bearings of a simple and long-wearing tilting pad design, maintenance costs on the IHI Tx Series oil-free compressors are up to 80% less than conventional screw types.

The Ultimate in Oil-Free compressors from Champion

National Sales and Marketing Manager, Peter Hutchings, said Champion ate proud of securing distributorship of the class leading compressors for Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

'IHI have been building compressors for over 100 years. They have achieved excellence in this technology as well as steam turbine manufacture, shipbuilding, bridge construction and fundamental research in materials technology, computers, robotics, jet engines and space launch vehicles.

'Initially Champion will supply five Tx Series machines ranging in output from 120 to 220 kW. Another three models, broadening the range from 75 to 250kW, will join the line-up in the near future', he said.

Each of these compressors provides a high level of performance and efficiency, with a 60% reduction in physical size compared to conventional oil-free screw compressors, with the huge savings in maintenance over conventional machines.

For more information contact: Champion Compressors Ltd Tel: (03) 9703 8080 Fax: (03) 9703 8053

SOUTH AUSTRALIA LEADS WITH NATURAL GAS BUS PURCHASES

Mr Craig Marschall, Chief Executive Officer of the Australasian Natural Gas Vehicles Council (ANGVC) said he was ecstatic about the timely news that the South Australian Government had ordered 53 new natural gas low floor buses.

'The purchase of the new natural gas buses by the South Australian Government sends a clear message to other governments that there is a viable natural gas option for any new bus purchases', said Mr Marschall.

Adelaide has already committed to 110 natural gas buses but the additional buses will feature ultra low floors and will be full size with fully accessible capabilities including wheelchair access.

A new gas refuelling facility is also to be installed at the Mile End Bus Depot by Boral Energy (the SA Gas Company).

Mr Marschall said the announcement was enthusiastically received by delegates at the 1997 Urban Natural Gas Vehicles Conference today.

'The ANGVC wholeheartedly supports this move by the South Australian Government which demonstrates their commitment to a cleaner and more efficient fuel alternative,' he said.

For further information contact: Craig Marschall, Chief Executive Officer (ANGVC) Tel: 0411 462 800

HRL LIMITED GOES NATIONAL THROUGH ITS ACQUISITION OF ETRS PTY LTD

Victorian based technology group, HRL Limited is set to expand its operations nationally to better service its growing customer base, after the acquisition of ETRS Pty Ltd, an Australian-wide technical services provider.

Page 18 Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997

According to HRL's Managing Director Mr Graeme Pleasance, HRL and ETRs will be working together to explore new business opportunities which benefit both companies.

Mr Pleasance said 'Together we are able to provide a wider range of services with enhanced facilities in specialised engineering, materials consulting and business management. This is supported by our research and development capabilities, analytical laboratories and environmental and non-destructive testing services'.

ETRS employs 230 people and has offices in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Perth, and branches in Sale and Longford (Vic), Gladstone, Mackay and Townsville (Qld), Kalgoorlie (WA), and Singleton (NSW).

'We're keen to use the collective strengths of both companies to provide increased service quality and value to our customers. As always our primary focus will be to continue to deliver a comprehensive range of business and technical solutions through professional consulting, testing and project services', he said.

For further information contact: Graeme Pleasance, HRL Limited Tel: (03) 9565 9888

INSTRUMENTS FROM ANRI

New Portable Multigas Analyser for Landfill Gas Monitoring

The new infra-red gas analyser from Gas Data, the LMSx, is purpose designed and safe for landfill and contaminated land gas monitoring. It is versatile and expandable system simultaneously measuring CH4, C O 2 , and O 2 , plus up to four other user specified gases, ie, H2S, H 2 , CO, HCN, CI, hydrocarbons flammability (%LEL).

All gas sensors are internal and can be read simultaneously. In addition to the gas channels the LMSx has channels for atmospheric pressure, borehole pressure, flow rate & temperature.

Full digital calibration combined with computer controlled production allows the LMSx to deliver outstanding performance and value for money. Additional user specified channels can be built in at manufacture or added at a later date. On­board data storage is standard along with the carry case, sample line, battery charger & instruction manual.

The LMSx is the ideal tool for monitoring of gases evolving from landfill, contaminated sites and compost or any other applications requiring multi-gas measurements.

In the field with a Portable Multigas Analyser for Landfill Gas Monitoring

New Miniature CO2 Gas Analyser with Full Feature Data Logging

ANRI Instruments have released the new dual wavelength infra-red carbon dioxide gas analysers from Gas Data Ltd with a full feature data logging software package.

The PCO2/DL is only 150 x 45 x 40mm and can monitor and record C O 2

concentrations from 10ppm to 100% over time periods from a few minutes to several days from one battery charge or over extended periods if connected to an AC

Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997 Page 19

power adaptor. Recorded readings are down-loaded to a host PC using Gas Data's 'Logger' software to archive, display and plot graphs of C O 2 levels versus time.

The PCO2 /DL can be used wall mounted, hand held or on a belt clip for personal monitoring. It has a built-in gas sample pump, a large back-lit LCD graphics display. Response times can be as fast as 2 sec.

A chart recorder output is available as standard for hard-wired installations. It is a valuable tool for air quality monitoring, 'sick building' syndrome investigations, HVAC, leak detection, safety applications, C.A. and food processing and storage atmospheres, growth and incubation chambers etc.

New Miniature CO2 Gas Analyser with Full Feature Data Logging from ANRI

Alarm levels can be set. The PCO2 /DL is supplied complete with data logging facility, back-lit display, alarm, belt clip, sample tube, battery charger, instruction manual and carrying case. Three models are available, each has dual measurement ranges which feature autoranging as standard.

The PCO 2 is also available without logging facility. Models are available at a very competitive price.

For further information on these products, please contact:-Mr Stephen Hurst ANRI Instruments & Controls Pty Ltd Tel: (03) 9752 3782 Fax: (03) 9752 3783

INSTRUMENTS FROM TES

A Quantum Leap in Data Logging

Thomson Environmental Systems have released the next generation of Data Loggers.

The H2NS Model CPP3794 interlaces with today's instrumentation over their serial ports in their native languages or protocols. This approach allows access to the data acquisitions and diagnostics

tomorrow. Software is also included to allow presentation of the final analysis. TSP, PM10 & PM2.5 models are available.

For additional information contact Thomson Environmental Systems Tel: 61 2 9589 1666 Fax: 61 2 9589 1777

INSTRUMENTS FROM ECOTECH

High Concentration NO/N02/NOx Analyser

Ecotech Pty Ltd announces the release of the Monitor Labs ML 984IAS Oxides of Nitrogen analyser. The ML 9841AS uses gas phase chemiluminescence detection to perform continuous analysis of nitric oxides (NO), total oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) to concentration levels as high as 1000 ppm.

The ML 9841AS analyser design represents an advance in nitrogen oxides-analysis technology achieved primarily by using adaptive microprocessor control of a single measurement channel. The instrument consists of a pneumatic system, a NO2 to NO converter (MOLYCON), a reaction cell, photomultiplier tube and processing electronics.

The analyser is designed as a stand alone instrument for continuous emission monitoring or can be incorporated into a full system. The option of an integral floppy disk drive enables the analyser to internally log data for periods up to 1 month.

High Concentration NO/NO2/NOx Analyser

Model 9400 Data Acquisition System

The Model 9400 Data Acquisition System is specifically designed for unattended use in ambient air and meteorological monitoring systems.

The 9400 interfaces to a wide range of ambient air monitoring analysers such as those manufactured by Monitor Labs, Rupprecht & Pataschnick, Dani and Thermo Environment Corporation. The use of a RS232 multdrop serial link allows the 9400 to collect data directly from these instruments in digital format thus eliminating digital to analog conversion errors. The bi-directional RS232 interface

Page 20 Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997

features available through the RS232 / 485 ports of different analysers from one central communication port.

Analogue inputs are still an option in addition to 9 serial ports.

The CPP permits operator requests to be interlaced with the polling commands too ensure no data is lost during communication with the instruments.

There are tremendous benefits in many areas not the least of which is the simplified wiring task being reduced from days to minutes.

Strip Chart Recorder Revolution

A Digital Strip Chart Recorder has at last arrived. The DSR unit collects & stores data from 4 analogue inputs (expandable) on a removable PCMCIA card.

Scanning rates can be selected from 1 second to 3600 seconds & station IDs can be set. A local serial port allows full operator interface with a second port providing automatic retrieval of the data. This data is retrieved & stored in ACCESS data base. Additional options include alarming with relay outputs, data averaging & rolling average calculations.

Lo-Volume Sampler

TES have released the BGI lo-vol dust sampler. The BGI PQ100 is an (Intelligent Air Pump), that can monitor it's own airflow rate and thereby adjust the pump speed to compensate for changes in load pressure and/or other forces which would otherwise hamper the flow of air through a filter (or sample collector). The PQ100 can be programmed to begin it's sampling job at a specific date and time and stop sampling after the user defined run time is depleted. A 24 character by 2 line Liquid Crystal Display provides the operator with a readout of flow rate, and other useful information.

Events such as the flow being restricted by blocking of the inlet, batteries depleted (power failure), pump unable to regulate flow (excess resistance), etc. force the pump into a shutdown mode which consumes no battery power until the problem causing the shutdown is corrected.

The PQ100 was designed to operate from 1 standard (EPA) litre per minute (1,000 cc per minute) to 25.0 standard litres per minute and is unaffected by changes in ambient temperature and barometric pressure. The flow rate precision is guaranteed ±2% of the calibration set point.

Certain default values in this instrument have been selected to reflect US EPA style air sampling procedures. The default 'Run Time' is 24 hours. The default 'Start Date and Time' is midnight

also allows a remote computer to access full control and diagnostics of the analysers through the 9400 Data Acquisition System. An optional 16 bit A/D converter is used for interfacing with non-digital sensors.

A variety of data collection methods can be utilised including telemetry links, cellular telephone links, network data transfers, direct computer-to-computer or floppy disk transfer. The 9400 even has the capability to send messages to a cellular phone should the system develop a fault or concentration limits exceed preset limits.

The 9400 has sufficient data storage to hold over five years worth of historical data and can be connected to a keyboard and SVGA colour monitor allowing data and set up parameters to be viewed at any time.

Model 9400 Data Acquisition System for use in ambient air and meteorological monitoring systems.

The 9400 is currently being used in ambient air monitoring networks in a variety of countries including Australia, Cyprus, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Switzerland and Mexico.

Model 3000 Dustline Aerosol Monitor

The Rupprecht & Patashnick Model 3000 Aerosol Monitor is a portable light scattering device for the real-time assessment of particle concentrations in ambient air. The Model 3000 uses replaceable foam inserts for the measurement of TSP, PM-10, ISO respirable and PM-2.5 particles in both outdoor and indoor environments.

The Model 3000 has user selectable data averaging and storage intervals that include 2, 4 and 10 seconds for short term requirements, as well as 1, 10 and 30 minutes for longer term monitoring. PC based software allows data to be downloaded, standardised, graphed and stored in a spreadsheet compatible format.

The monitor responds within seconds to changes in particle concentrations, this allows users to gain a better under­standing of the factors that affect the level of particulate matter suspended in ambient air.

The monitor is ideal for use in measuring particles at hazardous waste sites, construction areas and material handling facilities, in industrial hygiene and indoor air quality applications and for use in the siting of air quality monitoring stations.

Continuous Particulate Emission Monitor

Ecotech announces the emission SA BETA 5M Continuious Particulate Emission Monitor for the measurement of particles in emission point sources. The Beta 5M isokinetically samples particulate matter from the flue gas exhaust and deposits it on an automatically advanced filter tape roll. Isokinetic sampling is maintained by an internal system which includes a motor driven flow regulation valve. The mass of the sample deposited on the filter tape is automatically measured by beta ray attenuation.

A measurement is made first on a blank filter, then on the particulare laden filter. The built-in microprocessor calculates and displays the final particulate concentration either in mg/Nm3 or mg/Th PCI. The Beta 5M measures particulates in the range of 2-4000 mg/Nm3 and has a mass detection limit of 0.1 mg. The system requires a calibration check only twice a year.

Clean Air Volume 31 N0.3. August 1997 Page 21

The Beta 5M Continuous Particulate Emission Monitor

The Beta 5M system is composed of three main sub-systems: a sample probe that contains a pitot tube. A measurement unit designed to withstand hostile environments and contains the electronics and measurement unit. A support unit used to install the measurement unit at the stack sampling point.

Ecotech is an international supplier of environmental monitoring equipment and offers a complete range of ambient air and emission monitoring equipment. For further information on any of the above contact: Ecotech Pty Ltd Tel: (03) 9894 2399 Fax: (03) 9894 2445 email: ecotech@ecotech.com.au Website: http://www.com.ecotech.com.au

INSTRUMENTS FROM LEAR SIEGLER

Gas Permeation Devices

Calibration gas standards can be generated easily and handled safely using Dynacal permeation devices. These small unbreakable Teflon and stainless steel capsules are filled with pure chemical and then permanently sealed, thus eliminating the risk of handling large quantities of toxic materials in glass containers or bulky high pressure cylinders. Permeation devices are being used to generate high

A Dynacal permeation device

ppm to low ppb concentrations of hundreds of compounds such as benzene, H2S, SO2 , toluene, formaldehyde etc.

Flue Gas Analyser

The Model 3000 Enerac features the Enhanced Integrated Sample Conditioning System that operates with stack temperatures up to 110° C. It effectively removes moisture from the sample without compromising the N O x

or SOx measurement and cools the sample for measurement. This is achieved in a lightweight, handheld probe and without the need for sample drying reagents.

The SEM TM cells used in the unit offer accuracy and stability, range of life expectancy which is usually unheard of in electrochemical cells. The analyser can be battery operated on the fully charged internal battery for approx. 4 hours with the ability to extend this period using an external battery or 240V if required.

Lear Siegler Australasia have an Enerac 3000 available for demonstration or hire.

Personal Multi Monitor

The MultiMax personal gas monitor will protect your company's investment in the future. It has three alarm levels per sensor. The user can be warned immediately, audibly and visually, of an instantaneous, TWA, STEL or Multiple Gas hazard.

Ninety day calibration coupled with 120 to 1 50 hours of operation packed into just 27 ounces provides the ultimate in safety, security, and convenience. The two year warranty offered on the oxygen, stabilised toxic and platinum bead LEL sensors ensures performance, and low maintenance costs.

The monitor has increased safety and flexibility from the following accessory enhancements:

Sampling Pump: For confined space applications, the tiny high powered pump slides onto the accessory rails to become an integral part of the MultiMax.

Radio Alarm: Provides maximum personnel protection in confined spaces. The revolutionary compact, lightweight MM-XMTR transmits a coded radio signal alert (0.5 miles) whenever an alarm condition is encountered.

Datalogger: All information including time and date is logged. Information is protected from loss.

Strobe Light: A minimum 32 candela strobe that clips onto your lapel.

Charger: A single-unit charger maintains the MultiMax NICADs in a fully charged state. Recharge time is 3-4 hours.

MultiMax 160 the personal handheld gas monitor

The Westinghouse Tradition, continues with the Oxitec Oxygen Analyser.

Since Westinghouse invented the First Industrial Zirconium Oxide Oxygen Analyser, in the early 1970's, more than 80,000 installations around the world have proved that the Model 218 'is the Industry Standard' for reliable and accurate oxygen measurement. Today, the tradition continues with Enotec, who manufacture and build their oxygen analyser for their own worldwide customers, and also under the Westinghouse label for the International Instrumentation and Control Services Group.

The Oxitec oxygen analyser

Improvements in the new probe include all welded joint probe construction, field replaceable cell, thermocouple heater, optional calibration gas valve, full length platinum signal wire and larger cell measuring area with leak-proof gold brazing technology.

All 'Oxitec' probes can be used with all existing Westinghouse electronic packages, and with the new Enotec SME series microprocessor electronics. With the new SME package oxygen measurement can be obtained to an accuracy of ±1% of actual reading.

Service or repairs for existing Westinghouse installations are available.

For further information on any of the above contact: Lear Siegler Australia Tel: (02) 9548 1322 Fax: (02) 9548 1323

Page 22 Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997

EPA NSW - Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) on the proposed Ozone Protection Regulation 1997: was released in early March 1997. Comment was sought by the 21st March 1997. The RIS provides an assessment of the costs and benefits of the proposed regulations. It also considers alternative options directed towards achieving the objectives of protecting the stratospheric ozone layer. For technical inquiries Peter Lawson (02) 9795 5177, or for copies NSW EPA Publications Tel: 131 555 or Tel: (02) 9795 5000.

Environment Australia - Draft National Methyl Bromide Response Strategy: was released in February 1997 for public comment. Developed in consultation with industry, CSIRO and research scientists, the Strategy will prepare affected Australian industry sectors for the global phase out of methyl bromide under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Methyl bromide is predominantly used as a soil fumigant to kill various pests, disease and weed threats to horticultural crops. It is easily applied in a wide range of climatic conditions, and is very effective in a wide range of soil types. It is also highly toxic. Copies of the strategy can be obtained from Environment Australia Tel: 1800 803 772 or can be viewed and down loaded in manageable segments from their website http://www.erin.gov.au/portfolio/epg/epg.html then click on publications, then the strategy under ozone. The strategy is approx. 70 pages long. Technical inquiries contact the Ozone Protection Section Tel: (06) 274 1484 Fax: (06) 274 1172.

Draft Vic EPA Strategy - Zeroing in on Waste: Pathways to Cleaner Production for Victorian Industries, Nov. 1996, Publication 517. This document is a part of the review of Victoria's Industrial Waste Strategy. It explores the key issues associated with industrial waste and proposes directions for the future. Following the consultation process, the VIC EPA will develop a final proposed Strategy, with recommendations for management programs, and the framework to review the current regulatory regime by mid 1997. For copies contact the Vic EPA Tel: (03) 9628 5622.

National Profile of Australia's Chemical Management Infrastructure: will be prepared over 4 months starting from June 1997. The Profile is intended to be a baseline document and assist in identifying strengths, weaknesses, gaps, and priority needs for national action. Based on the UNITAR documents provided when the Project went to tender a National Planning Meeting will be held in the early stages with interested parties, to establish a National Co-ordinating Team and agree on a Workplan. These interested parties are expected to include representatives from: national, regional and local ministries/agencies (with sufficient authority to ensure the required input of these organisations), universities and research institutes, industrial and professional organisations, labour organisations, and environmental, consumer and other interested community-based groups. Contact Pamela Harris, Project Officer, Environment Protection Group - International Chemicals Section, of Environment Australia Tel: (06) 274 1036, Fax: (06) 274 16210.

Source: Jeff Simpson, Haztech Environmental, Teh (03) 98851269, Email: jsimpson@haztecb.com.au

Clean Air Volume 31 N0.3. August 1997 Page 23

Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997 Page 25

by which these effects were happening allowed the interpretation that it would be unlikely that damage to the liver was occurring under the circumstances relation to the exposure.

Obtain from the Worksafe Australia - NIOSH Research Update Sheets. These sheets and the reports are available from the Research, Science and Statistics, Worksafe Australia, GPO Box 58, Sydney NSW 2001, Tel: (02) 9577 9299, Fax: (02) 9577 9300.

Core Training Elements for the National Standard: for the Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances -June 1995 (ISBN 0 644 451 43 2), & Core Training Elements for the National Standard: for Safe Working in a Confined Space - January 1996 (ISBN 0 644 451 65 3). These documents aim to set the standard for development and conduct of quality training in each of these areas. They also advise on training in the common essential elements of these Standards, including roles and responsibilities, which is essential to their successful implementation. Available for $13 each from the AGPS Tel: 13 2447.

Toxic Substances Bulletin (TSB) - UK Health & Safety Executive: TSB contains articles which cover a whole range of topics relating to toxic substances including occupational hygiene, the classification and labelling of toxic substances, the European and world-wide harmonisation of chemical standards and specific workplace controls. TSB also gives regular updates on research issues, changes to occupational exposure limits and the decisions of HSEs Advisory Committee on Toxic Substances. A 12-month subscription for three issues costs £15 + £8.51 overseas postage, is not available by phone order, but must be ordered by mail of fax, with a cheque or credit card details, from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6FS, United Kingdom, Tel: 0011 44 1787 881 165, Fax: 0011 44 1787 313 995.

EH40/97 Occupational Exposure Limits - UK Health & Safety Executive: This annual update is divided into five parts: controlling exposure; tables of exposure limits; a technical supplement; appendices containing sections which define and provide more information on specific substances, £6.95 + £8.51 overseas postage, from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6FS, United Kingdom, Tel: 0011 44 1787 881 165, Fax: 0011 44 1787 313 995.

General COSHH ACOP (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) and Carcinogens ACOP (Control of Carcinogenic Substances ) and Biological Agents ACOP ( Control of Biological Agents): This new edition includes changes brought about by the COSHH (Amendment) Regulations 1996 and the Mines (Substances Hazardous to Health) Regulations 1996. £7.50 + £8.51 overseas postage, from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6FS, United Kingdom, Tel: 0011 44 1787 881 165, Fax: 0011 44 1787 313 995. Note: each additional item ordered at the same time is only 85p extra for postage.

Source: Jeff Simpson, Haztech Environmental, Tel: (03) 98851269, Email: jsimpson@haztech.com.au

INSTRUMENTS FOR RENTAL FROM ENVIRORENT

Portable Airborne Particle Counter

EnviroRent Pty Ltd have available for rental the MetOne Portable Airborne Particle Counter Model 227. The unit has a sensitivity as low as 0.3 microns, is fully self-contained, and uses a reliable, solid-state laser sensor. Specially designed for easy use, the counter can be used by itself, with a remote printer or computer, or as part of a larger monitoring network.

The model 227 counts two channels simultaneously. One has a fixed size range, while the other range is selectable. Six sample times are available. The count data can be read directly from the front panel LCD display, printed, or stored for later print-out. Up to 200 count cycles can be stored and down loaded either to a printer or a remote computer.

The Average Count feature gives estimates of particles-per-cubic-foot based on the selected count period, allowing quick evaluation of contamination levels. This feature will provide maximum count, minimum count and average count for a specified number of run cycles. Audible alarm can be set.

Monitor Model SA2 Turbidimeter (Sludge Blanket)

This portable sludge blanket meter operates on the principle of light absorption in liquid containing suspended solids.

The system comprises three sub systems: the sensor, the converter and power supply. For measurement the waterproof sensor (connected by a special cable) is immersed to the required depth, the light source, emits light through an optical sensing gap to a photocell which senses the amount of light transmitted through liquid and produces a electronic signal related to the suspended solids concentration. This signal is processed by the converter and displayed on the meter. The unit was especially developed for industrial and municipal sewage disposal plants.

Mercury Vapour Analyser for Rental

The Jerome 431 Mercury Vapour Analyser is used for detecting mercury vapour in spill response situations, exclusion testing, industrial hygiene monitoring, and at hazardous waste sites.

The instrument utilises a patented, stable, gold film sensor highly selective to the measured compound. This eliminates interferences common to other detection methods, ensuring fast response and accurate readings.

The 431 displays mercury vapour levels in mg/m3, and its pushbutton controls, rechargeable battery and light weight (2.5 kg) make this analyser convenient and simple to use.

For further information on the above instruments contact:

EnviroRent Pty Ltd Tel: (03) 9894 1808 Fax: (03) 9894 3200

EnviroRent Pty Ltd have opened a new office in Brisbane, at 12B The Corso, Norman Park, Queensland 4170 Tel: (07) 3899 5199 Fax: (07) 3899 5155 contact John Boggon

This will facilitate fast delivery, calibration and service to Queensland clients.

INEXPENSIVE AIR MONITORING FOR R&D

CSIRO is now offering a low-cost, accurate, versatile approach to measuring air pollution for R&D projects: passive air samplers.

Five years ago, Dr Greg Ayers from CSIRO's Division of Atmospheric Research needed an inexpensive, but reliable way of monitoring levels of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide near a power station.

He had heard about a small, passive sampler designed by a Swedish scientist in 1990. The sampler was very simple -a 25-millimetre diameter tube enclosing a

CSIRO's passive air samplers

range of filters. The filters protect specially impregnated paper, which adsorbs pollutant gases.

'We were delighted with the results of field trials' says Dr Ayers, 'and our subsequent direct comparisons of the new samplers with traditional active samplers shows that the passive samplers perform extremely well'.

Figure 1 presents one such comparison from rural Australia, where a Monitor Labs SO 2 analyser has been run continuously for several years in parallel with the passive samplers.

Dr Ayers says 'passive samplers perform better than active samplers when pollutant concentrations are low.'

CSIRO has successfully used passive samplers in major acid deposition and plume dispersion studies for numerous clients including Alcoa, BHP, Comalco, CRA, MIM and Pacific Power, as well as for projects in South-East Asia.

Other research applications include assessing ambient and personal exposure, urban air monitoring and verification of numerical models.

A range of samplers measure sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitric acid, ammonia, ozone and formaldehyde. They are ideal for sampling from days to several months.

CSIRO offers data interpretation, evaluation and assessment for air quality applications. A typical charge for analysis of each sampler paper is $55.

For more information, please contact Greg Ayers, CSIRO Division of Atmospheric Research Tel: (03) 9239 4687 Fax: (03) 9239 4688 E-mail: greg.ayers@dar.csiro.au

Page 26 Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997

CONTINUOUS AMBIENT PARTICULATE MONITORING USING A TAPERED-ELEMENT MICROBALANCE E Ardern

INTRODUCTION

Ambient air particles are monitored in many different ways. A popular and very successful way of measuring particles is by using High Volume Air Samplers. As the name implies High Volume Air Samplers filter ambient air at a typical flow rate of 70 m3 h-1 through a large 200mm x 250mm filtering media. This method has been in use for many years and usually collects particles over a 24 hour period taking into account diurnal variations, the filter paper being weighed before and after the collection period. A 24 hour averaging period is the acceptable method of reporting data for regulatory authorities.

If a shorter averaging period or if real time mass concentrations are needed then a method of continuously collecting particles is necessary. H. Patashnick and G. Rupprecht developed a true gravimetric particulate monitoring instrument that draws ambient air through a filter at a constant flow rate, continuously weighing the filter (every two seconds) and calculating near real­time (10 minutes) mass concentrations. The instrument was also capable of collecting the data on a data logging system. Patashnick and Rupprecht started manufacturing the 'TEOM' series Particle Monitors, having the above characteristics, for general use.

Both of the above methods can measure Total Suspended Particles (TSP) up to approximately 50 urn of equivalent aerodynamic diameter* or with special aerodynamic particle size selective inlets it is possible to collect PM-10 particles (less than 10pm). The low flow TEOM monitors can also utilise cyclone inlets capable of collecting particles less than 2.5um and 1pm designated PM-2.5 and PM-1 inlets respectively.

* Equivalent aerodynamic diameter -the diameter of a spherical particle of density l,000 kg/m3 that exhibits the same aerodynamic behaviour as the particle in question.

OVERVIEW OF OPERATION.

The TEOM series particle monitors are filter based mass monitors that filter and measure particles suspended in a gas stream in real time. This is made possible by a highly sensitive yet rugged inertial mass transducer. In addition the instrument computes the total mass accumulation on the collection filter, as well as 30-minute, 1-hour, 8-hour and 24-hour averages of the mass concentration. The use of a hydrophobic filter material, along with sample collection at above ambient temperature (50°C), eliminates the necessity of humidity equilibration.

When the instrument samples, ambient air firstly passes through an inlet,

which can be either the TSP type or the Size Selective type. As the Size Selective inlets require a constant flow rate of l6.7L/min, the instrument uses a flow splitter which separates the total flow (16.7 L/min) into two parts: a main flow of 3 L/min that enters the sensor unit and is filtered and the auxiliary (by-pass) flow of 13.7 L/min. The main flow passes through the exchangeable filter in the mass transducer, it is filtered and passes to the mass flow controller which maintains a constant flow rate. The flow rate of the by-pass air is also controlled by a mass flow controller with a single pump providing the vacuum necessary to draw the sample stream through the system. The filter is weighed every 2 seconds and the difference between the filters initial

Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997 Page 27

Fred Ardern Ecotech Pty Ltd

Fred Ardern (BSc) is Production and Projects Manager with Ecotech Pty Ltd 12 Apollo Court Blackburn, Victoria 3130 Tel: (03) 9894 2399 Fax: (03) 9894 2445

Page 28 Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997

weight (as automatically measured by the instrument after the installation of the filter) gives the total mass of the collected particles. Finally the mass concentration in μgm - 3 is computed by dividing the mass rate by the flow rate (corrected to EPA standard temperature and pressure). All the measurement and temperature functions of the instrument are controlled by a dedicated inbuilt microcontroller.

MASS TRANSDUCER OPERATION

The mass detection system is a tapered hollow element clamped at one end and free to vibrate at the other end (Figure 1). An exchangeable filter is placed over the hollow tube at the end that is free to vibrate, ambient air is drawn through the filter and down the tapered element. The flow rate is kept constant by a mass flow controller. For mass determination, the device makes use of the resonant frequency of the hollow tapered element, and since the mass of the filter increases as the deposited mass increases the vibrational frequency of the tapered element decreases. An electronic control circuit senses this vibration and through positive feedback, adds sufficient energy to the system to overcome losses. A precision electronic counter measures the frequency with a two second sampling period.

As in any spring-mass system the frequency follows the equation:

f = (K/M) 0 . 5

where:

f = frequency

K = spring rate

M = mass

The relationship between mass and

change in frequency can be expressed as:

dm = K0{f1

-2 - f0

-2}

where:

dm = change in mass on die

filter

K0 = spring constant

(including mass

conversions)

f0 = initial frequency (Hz)

f1 = final frequency (Hz)

K0 (che calibration constant for the

instrument) can easily be determined by

measuring the frequency with and

without a known mass (pre-weighed filter

cartridge).

CALIBRATION

Under normal circumstances the calibration does not change over the life of the instrument, however a Calibration Verification can be carried out using a pre-weighed calibration filter. By placing the pre-weighed filter of known mass into the instrument the calibration constant K0 can be checked. This procedure is usually carried out on a yearly basis. Flow calibrations, analog calibrations, ambient temperature calibrations and ambient pressure calibrations are also carried out over a yearly period. However, requirements for routine calibration periods are site-specific.

Filter lifetime depends upon the nature and concentration of the particulate material sampled, as well as the main flow rate setting.

CONCLUSIONS

The TEOM has the advantage of being able to operate continuously and the data output recorded on a data logging system. Weighing of the filter is carried out automatically by the true mass detection system of the TEOM and real time data is monitored. This capability of measuring real time data (10 minute averages) allows studies to be carried out where the monitoring of short period dust episodes are required, such as a half hour dust storm.

Young Australians between 14 and 27 years of age are eligible to enter the Awards Program. T h e seven categories cover a total spectrum of achievements that are necessary to build our society.

They also encompass such things as achievements by nandicapped and disabled persons, Aboriginal, ethnic and minority groups, and people living in isolation.

The Awards give every young person in Australia the opportunity to be recognised for achievements in their chosen field of endeavour.

The Young Australian of the Year Awards have the following categories:

• Science & Technology

• Environment

• Arts

• Sport

• Regional Development

• Career Achievement

• Community Service.

The call for nomination period closes September 5th, 1997. Judging by an expert judging panel will take place in each State or Territory during October with three finalists and one winner for each category.

A national judging panel will be formed and will have the responsibility of selecting three national category finalists and a national category winner for each category. The ultimate winner will be announced by the Prime Minister on or around Australia Day in January 1998.

Up to $200,000 courtesy of the Commonwealth Bank form part of the prizes offered nationwide. Qantas and Hilton Hotels also offer their support with Australian holiday packages to each State/Territory Young Achiever for their

State/Territory' and the overall 'Young Australian of the Year for 1998'.

Nomination forms are available from patrons, Network Ten, Triple M, Modibank Private Customer Service Centres and any Commonwealth Bank branch throughout Australia.

Or simply phone 1800 812 763.

FROM THE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP ON INDOOR AIR AND ENVIRONMENT

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP ON INDOOR AIR & ENVIRONMENT

This Group was established 2 years ago with the objectives:

• to act as an information channel for professionals in the field, • to enhance the quality of research and practice, and • to provide advice to Government and the community.

Currently the Group has a focus on improving its role as an information channel between professionals, especially in research where it is believed that synergies between the different disciplines (eg. health, environment, engineering, chemistry) are not being achieved due to a lack of interaction. In order to encourage such intetaction, the Group is planning a one-day discussion meeting to be held with the Society's biennial conference in Melbourne on 18-22 October 1998.

The Indoor Air and Environment Discussion Meeting will bring together professionals from a diverse range of disciplines in Australia and New Zealand. These may be representatives of professional societies who wish to provide an overview of their societies' views on indoor air and environment, where their priorities lie and where interdisciplinary action is needed to reach solutions. Alternatively professionals in the field are welcome to attend and put their own views on the table for discussion. Overriding aims will be to share knowledge on indoor air and environment and to identify where knowledge has been limited by interdisciplinary barriers.

The Group is seeking involvement of a diverse range of institutes/societies in this meeting, eg. Royal Australian Institute of Architects, Property Council of Australia, Institute or Engineers, Royal Australian Chemical Institute, Australian Institute of Occupational Hygenists, Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, National Asthma Campaign, Australian Chemical Trauma Alliance, Plastics and Chemical Industries Association, and Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating.

Speakers from these bodies and others will be invited to make short presentations along die theme of the meeting, 'Indoor Air and Environment — Problems and Solutions'. Each presentation will be followed by a brief discussion, but detailed discussion will take place in a 1-2 hour summary session at the end of the day. Proceedings of the discussion meeting will be published by the Clean Air Society.

Individuals or Societies not mentioned above who have an interest in participating in the meeting should contact Steve Brown, Chairman, SIGIAE Tel: 61 3 9252 6027, Email: steveb@mel.dbce.csiro.au to register their interest.

FORUM TO ESTABLISH DIRECTIONS FOR A HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

How to address the issues of health, environment and sustainability in the built environment was the focus of a major national scientific forum held in Brisbane on 22, 23 and 24 July 1997.

The forum, organised by Mr Dale Gilbert, Director, Built Environment Research Unit and Queensland Government Department of Public Works and Housing, examined all aspects of developing a sustainable and healthy built environment for Australians.

The delegates to the forum had the objective of working towards a protocol which can serve as a guide for Government, industry and the community in the design, procurement and use of houses and other buildings.

Mr Gilbert said, 'We are taking a first step to develop an Australian protocol for not only a healthier and sustainable built environment but for development of trade and employment'.

If our trading partners do not see Australia as a responsible nation working at the forefront and taking environmental responsibility in its stride then we are at a marketing disadvantage compared to similar trade from other

nations which are working on improving their own environmental standards of performance.

The intention of the forum was to harness the knowledge, skill and energy of its participants to develop the protocol.

The importance of the life cycle impact assessment of building materials, products and systems had already been raised by the participants through surveys conducted over a 4 month period prior to the Forum.

These surveys also revealed the issues people felt were important, which included: • Avoidance of environmental health

risks associated with poor air quality such as with solvent emissions, respirable dusts, fibres and microbes.

• Assessment of ecologically sustainable products and practices for remote to urban sites with respect to populations, for example, schools and indigenous peoples.

• Ecologically sustainable development (ESD) for asset management in design, purchasing, maintenance and remediation to better manage known health risks and to reduce the risk of harm, costly maintenance, remediation and litigation.

Mr Gilbert said the Department's Built Environment Research Unit was already working on the respirable particles and dust issues in collaborative research projects with Dr Lidia Morawska's Environmental Aerosol Laboratory at the Queensland University of Technology.

He said, 'The work being undertaken by Dr Morawska was leading-edge research with major implications nationally and internationally. The benefits of her research in the built environment area are anticipated to be new and innovative technologies leading to better building design and product development which will improve the health of occupants'.

The keynote speakers set the scene and the framework for the Forum from building health through to ecologically sustainability of the built environment.

Mr Hal Levin, a research architect from Santa Cruz, California who specialises in environmental issues,

Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997 Page 29

brought expertise on building ecology and evaluation of buildings to the forum.

Professors Michael Moore and David Weedon brought medical and toxicological expertise and opinions to the forum Professor Weedon particularly brought an important national focus as he was a former president of the Australian Medical Association and is currently a member of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Committee. Professor Moore is the Director of the NH&MRC National Research Centre for Environmental toxicology and he gave vital commentary on health effects research.

Dr Peder Wolkoff is an internationally recognised researcher from the National Institute of Occupational Health in Denmark and has undertaken extensive research on healthy building materials with the focus on the chemical aspects of the indoor environment. Peder's work with Danish and European industry was a valuable contribution to the forum.

Dr Stephen Brown of CIS IRC), responsible for national research on volatile organic emissions from building producrs, also attended the Forum.

Dale Gilbert Forum Convenor

NEWS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY AND CLIMATE

This is an important year for our sister organisation, the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ). CASANZ is linked to ISIAQ by a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 1996.

From the 28th of September to the 2nd of October this year, ISIAQ will be holding the Healthy Buildings/IAQ'97 Conference. The conference, which will be held in Washington DC, will be the Fifth International Conference on Healthy Buildings organised by ISIAQ. Co-organisers of the conference are the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

The HB/IAQ'97 will be based on the tradition and lessons learned from prior Conferences and Symposia and will be focused on integrating the principles of health and building sciences, with health and building practices which are sensitive to local climatic, geographic, social, economic and cultural factors. The program is organised around four

functional categories of buildings: educational facilities, residences, offices and public assembly buildings and health care facilities. Global issues to be considered during the conference include: effects of total exposure on health and comfort; emissions and loads from indoor and outdoor sources; effects of active and passive control systems on health and building performance; economic implications of healthy and sick buildings, and; diagnostic techniques in the health and building fields.

This year is also the election year for the new Executive Board for the years 1998-2000. The election process is in progress and its results will be announced during the General Assembly of the Society which will be held in Washington in conjunction with the Conference. The Nomination Committee has made recommendation for the offices of the President, three Vice-Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer. Recommended for the office of the President is Professor Marco Maroni (Italy) and an Australian, Dr Lidia Morawska, for the office of the Secrerary.

Lidia Morawska Queensland University of Technology

Page 30 Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997

INVESTIGATION OF THE FILTRATION EFFICIENCY OF HEPA AND ULPA FILTERS IN SUBMICRON PARTICLE SIZE RANGE.

M. Jamriska, D. Martin and L. Morawska

ABSTRACT

High efficiency particulate (HEPA) and ultra low penetration air filters (ULPA) have been used as filtration devices for more than fifty years. Their high efficiency makes them suitable for application in areas where clean room conditions or contamination control is required. This paper presents the results of a performance evaluation of HEPA and ULPA filters used at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria.

A detailed description of the experimental system, test procedure, and measuring techniques is provided. HEPA and ULPA filter efficiencies were measured for both types of filters in single and tandem configurations, and for different airflow conditions. Particle counting technique and sodium flame method were applied, and the sensitivity of both techniques compared. The performance of a damaged HEPA filter was also investigated.

The integrated efficiency of a HEPA filter, challenged with dry polydisperse NaCl aerosols of count median diameter 60 nm, at a flow rate of 472 L s-1 was approximately 99.999957%. For an ULPA filter, tested under the same conditions, the efficiency was two orders of magnitude higher at 99.9999990%.

The penetration through a HEPA and ULPA filter in tandem was one quarter that of an ULPA filter and less than one two hundredth that of a HEPA filter.

KEYWORDS: HEPA, ULPA, FILTER EFFICIENCY, PENETRATION

INTRODUCTION

High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters have a minimum efficiency of 99.97% for particles 0.3 μm diameter and above. Filters having a minimum collection efficiency of 99.997% for particles in the size range 0.1 μm to 0.2 μm are known as ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air) filters. The US test

method used for HEPA filter performance evaluation is based on the use of 0.3 micron diameter diocryl-phtalate (DOP) particles (1). The test method used for ULPA filter performance is based on an aerosol having 90% of particles between 0.1 um and 0.2 μm (2).

High efficiencies of HEPA and ULPA filters are achieved by using high permeability glass fibre paper media and an extended area design. For HEPA filters, this incorporates continuous fibreglass paper pleated back and forth over corrugated separators. The ULPA filters usually are without separators. Other means are used to provide an equivalent separation distance between the folded paper sheet. The folded media creates a pack which is then encapsulated into a frame and sealed (3,4).

There are a number of standards and guidelines relating to HEPA and ULPA filter testing and classification. These standards differ in many respects making the direct comparison of filter performance parameters difficult, and sometimes impossible. The difficulty in comparing filter performance from the range of possible specifications is that the tests carried out are not physically compatible. The most commonly used test methods are the British Standard BS3928 and US Mil.Standard 282 (5). Recently, a new European standard (prEN1822) has been introduced, which clearly defines the goals, philosophy and principle of testing, thus providing complete characterization of the full range of HEPA and ULPA filters (6). HEPA filrer efficiency testing in Australia is described in the Interim Australian Standard 4260, parts 1 and 2, 1994.

HEPA and ULPA filters are applied in nuclear, micro-electronic, pharmaceutical, biological, computing industries, and other areas where an environment free from contaminating airborne particles is required.

The CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) is responsible for the diagnosis, research, and veterinary training in Australia with regard to exotic animal diseases. Many of the diseases handled in the laboratory are highly virulent viruses

of significant danger to the Australian livestock population. Some of these diseases are transmitted as aerosols and to prevent their release to the surrounding environment, HEPA and ULPA filters are applied in ventilating systems as one of the air cleaning strategies.

Microbiological aerosols which could be generated by infectious sources within the contained building are often in the submicron range. Consequently, it is necessary to characterise the filtration efficiency of HEPA and ULPA filters for particles in this range (7).

Before installation, each filter is tested on-site using the British Standard Sodium Flame Test BS3928 (8). The Hot DOP and Sodium Flame tests, which were both used by manufacturers to characterise the filters, are not sufficiently sensitive to determine overall efficiencies higher than 99.999%, as expected in tandem filter configurations.

The collaborative project between AAHL and the Environmental Aerosol Laboratory of the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) was undertaken with the objective of measuring the filtration efficiency of single and tandem configurations of HEPA and ULPA filters as used at CSIRO, AAHL at the required level of accuracy and sensitivity.

Testing of HEPA and ULPA filters requires the use of sophisticated techniques. A significant part of this issue is related to the aerosols used for measurements. Filters are challenged with aerosols of high concentration and specific size characteristics enabling assessment of the filter performance in the most penetrating particle size range. The supply of challenge aerosol must be steady for relatively long time periods, aerosol characteristics must be stable, and the process and parameters must be repeatable for individual experimental runs. To comply with these criteria, an appropriate aerosol generator must be used.

The process and the attributes of aerosols generated by Dautrabande, Laskin and Collison nebulisers were studied. Based on the criteria above, a sei ol six Collison nebulisers and 10% NaCl solution in water as dispersion material

Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997 Page 31

were selected as the most suitable for filter testing. The system generated polydisperse aerosols of concentration up to 1.8 x 106

particle cm -3. Particle size distribution of challenge aerosols was lognormal with number count median diameter of 60 to 70 nm, and geometric standard deviation of 2.15.

This paper focuses on the optimisation of the experimental system's parameters, testing methodology, particle counting and other applied techniques.

The objectives of the research work were as follows:

• to determine penetration and filtration efficiency of one HEPA and one ULPA filter for three different configurations using two different experimental methods;

• to test filter performance at different flow-rate conditions within their rated flow capacity;

• to determine fractional (size dependent) and overall filtration efficiencies of filters used at AAHL.

THEORY

Filtration efficiency depends on filter media characteristics, challenge aerosol characteristics, airflow velocity through the media, and environmental conditions (1,9). The filtration effect is caused by the interaction between the moving particle and the media fibres. In the absence of an electrostatic force, filtration is caused by diffusion, interception, and inertial impaction mechanisms. Depending on the aerosol size, different filtration mechanisms play a dominant role. In the particle size range from approximately 0.1 to 1.0 μm, none of these mechanisms are relatively efficient. This results in minimum filter efficiency in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 μm (I). The corresponding most penetrating particle size (MPPS) is not universal, and generally lends to decrease with decreasing fibre size used in the filter and wiih increasing air velocity (10). Filter efficiency expressed in terms <>l MPPS is the most critical descriptor for filter performance evaluation (6).

Liu (1) reported the MPPS to be in the size range of 0.1 to 0.17 μm for both HEPA and ULPA filters. The typical diameter of MPPS measured by Gras (9) was in the range from 0.1 to 0.16 um. These results demonstrate that the conventional 0.3 μm DOP test and 0.68 μm Sodium Flame tests may not be adequate for determination of the minimum filter efficiency (6,9) in critical installations.

Filter Characterisation

Performance of a filtration device can be expressed in terms of filter efficiency or, conversely, penetration. Filter penetration is the ratio between the downstream number concentration of particles which have penetrated the filter, and the number concentration of particles challenging the filter upstream. Penetration of particles over their whole size range is called total or overall penetration. Penetration within a defined particle size range, which is a fraction of the whole size scale, is fractional or size-dependent penetration.

Filter efficiency is the ratio of the number of particles collected by the filter to the number of particles challenging. Total and fractional filter efficiency is expressed as a percent, and is usually calculated from penetration measurements.

Calculation

Both fractional and total filter penetration are calculated according to the following formula (11):

P = (C d - Cb)/(Cu D) [1]

where : P - penetration Cd - particle concentration downstream

of the filter Cb - background particle concentration

downstream (challenge aerosol generator off)

Cu - particle concentration upstream of the filter

D - dilution ratio; for undiluted aerosol, as in this paper, D = 1

Filter efficiency is calculated as:

Eff = (l -P).100[%] [2]

Experimental Uncertainties

The uncertainty of penetration measurements (coefficient ol variation) is expressed as :

CVp = [(PNTd) - l + (D/(NTu)) + CVD

2] 1/2 [3]

The equation [3] is based on standard propagation-of-error techniques neglecting covariance terms and using Poisson statistics to estimate uncertainties (11).

Pin Hole Leaks

HEPA filters are fragile and require careful handling during transport, installation and maintenance. The efficiency of a system with HEPA filters can be greatly reduced by poor sealing of gaskets into the filter frames and by holes in the filter medium or cracks in the sealing (5).

Filter leaks are defined as areas of limited extension, at which the specified nominal penetration is exceeded. (6). Holes in filtration media (pin-holes) and imperfections in sealant have significant influence on the overall performance of a filter.

Initial studies were aimed mainly at predicting the performance of a filter with holes as a function of the airflow velocity. Recently, the emphasis has been on developing practical and effective methods for filter scanning during or after filter installation.

Two basic methods can be used for leak detection. The differential method is based on scanning the downstream side of the filter and detecting for any abnormal increases in particle penetration. The integral method uses the comparison between the overall efficiencies of the measured and a standard leak-free filter (12).

EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUES AND METHODS

All experiments were performed in the AAHL filter testing laboratory using QUT instrumentation for aerosol size distribution measurements.

Test Rig

The test rig (Figure 1) is designed in accordance with British Standard 3928 -Method for Sodium Flame Test for Air Filters (8), and is routinely used for testing HEPA filters installed in the AAHL's ventilation systems. The test rig is sized to accommodate 610x610x300 mm and 300x300x1 50 mm filter elements. The BS3928 configuration has been modified lo incorporate two AAHL filter housings in tandem.

The following are the main components of the testing system:

• a high efficiency filtered inlet to remove ambient aerosol,

• manually controlled variable speed electric direct-drive fan delivering up to 800 Ls - 1 at 1.2 kPa,

Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997 Page 32

where: CVp - coefficient o( variation lor

penetration (standard deviation of penetration measurements over their mean )

P - aerosol number penetration N - undiluted upstream count rate

[count s-1] Td - downstream counting time [sec] D - dilution ratio Tu - upstream counting lime [sec] CVD - coefficient of variation for dilution

ratio

• two sets of built-in atomisers: Dautraband and Collison,

• upstream/downstream mixing baffles to ensure well-mixed aerosol conditions,

• single filter pneumatically clamped filter test chuck,

• two AAHL filter housings complete with butterfly isolating valves,

• a set of manifolds to accommodate the sampling probes,

• sequential upstream/downstream sampling connections to a Sodium Flame Photometer, complying with BS3928,

• a 180° bend in the downstream/ upstream duct reducing the distance between upstream and downstream sample locations, (minimising the effect of particle loss due to deposition in sampling lines), and

• a square edged orifice plate with D and D/2 pressure tappings together with an inclined tube manometer to measure air flow rate.

The system operates at a positive pressure which excludes room air infiltration, and facilitates sample flow to the photometer without the need for suction pumps. Inlet air is drawn from an air-conditioned laboratory, where the test duct is located, to provide clean air at constant temperature and relative humidity below 60%.

Filters

The filters used in these tests were two HEPA filters manufactured by Gelman Sciences of Australia and one ULPA filter manufactured by Flanders Filters Inc. of the United States.

The manufacturer's name plate rating data was as follows:

HEPA Filters Gelman HEPA Absolute Type Model 7590 Arrestance Efficiency > 99.995% Penetration of rated airflow < 0.005% Rated airflow 472 L s-1

Penetration at 20% rated airflow < 0.0003% Resistance at rated airflow 239 Pa Tested in accordance with BS 3928 Sodium Flame Test.

ULPA Filter Flanders - Laminar Flow Grade VLSI ® ULPA Filter Model 0-012-6-07-00-SU-33-00-GG-6 Serial Number V 235958 Test Flow 100 FPM (Velocity) Efficiency @ Test Flow 99.99999% @ 0.12 urn

Filter size 610 x 610 x 150 mm Dimple Pleat Construction (no separators)

Instrumentation

• Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) TSI Model 3934 consisting of Electrostatic Classifier and Condensation Nucleus Counter (CNC).

The instrument measures number distribution in the particle size range from 0.005 to 0.9 μrn using the electrical mobility size classification technique. The SMPS uses a bipolar charger in the electrostatic classifier to charge particles to a known charge distribution. The particles are classified according to their ability to traverse an electrical field, and counted with a CNC. The SMPS concentration range is 20 to 107 particle cm-3 with a minimum sampling time of one minute (13).

• Condensation Nucleus Counter (CNC) TSI Model 3025A

The counter measures the number concentration of airborne particles with diameters in the range from 0.003 to 3 μm. The C N C can be used as a part of the SMPS or individually as a particle counter. The C N C uses a vapour sheath technique to achieve the instrument's lower particle-size sensitivity. The particles are detected and counted by an optical detector after a supersaturated vapour condenses onto their surfaces, causing them to grow into larger droplets. The range of particle concentration detection extends from less than 0.01 particle cm- 3 to 9.99xl04 particle cm" 3 (14).

The CNC can operate also as a single particle counter. Provided that count data

can be accumulated over time, the instrument has no theoretical lower limit for particle concentration measurements.

As presented later, this technique proved to be the only method allowing particle concentration measurements downstream of the tandem mounted HEPA and ULPA filters.

• Aerodynamic Particle Sizer Spectrometer (APS) TSI Model 3310A

The APS measures particle size distribution in the range of 0.5 to 30 urn, and provides results in real time. The instrument operates on the principle that particles of different sizes, after being accelerated in a flow field, achieve different velocities. A laser scan technique allows measurement of these velocities which are later used for calculation of particle diameter (15).

• Cold DOP Scanning Photometer

This aerosol photometer is a light scattering mass concentration indicator with a minimum threshold sensitivity of 10-3 ug L-l , and is capable of measuring aerosol concentration in the range of 8 0 μ g L - 1 to 120 μ g L - 1 . The photometer sample flow rate is 0.5 ± 0.05 Ls-1 ( 3 0 ± 3 L s 1 ) ( 2 0 ) .

METHODOLOGY

Optimisation of Testing Conditions

Filtration system settings

In accordance with the ASTM Standard Test Method for Air Cleaning Performance of a High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter System (11), a number of parameters of the testing

Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997 Page 33

system (Figure 1) and the instrumentation were tested. A set of operational parameters was established and controlled during all experiments. • The tested filters were measured in

two different locations in the testing rig. For the one-stage measurement, a filter was mounted in a single housing located at the furthermost part of the testing duct from the aerosol generators (denoted as location B). For the two stage measurements, the filters were mounted in tandem and were located closer to the aerosol generators (location A).

• A Pitot tube was used as a sampling probe. Aerosols were sampled through the total head aperture. The tube length and inside diameter were 500 mm and 1.3 mm respectively. These parameters were in good agreement with the requirements for the isokinetic sampling (16, 17). Upstream and downstream probes were each located in the centre of 375 mm and 250 mm diameter ducts facing into the airflow. The upstream sample probe was located at approximately twice (location A) and ten times (location B) the duct diameters upstream from the front side of the tested filters. The downstream sample probe was located at twice (location A) and fifteen times (location B) the duct diameter downstream from the tested HEPA filters. These distances allowed adequate mixing of the aerosol prior to sample extraction (8,11).

• Aerosol mixing uniformity was achieved by using circular mixing baffles located at least 10 duct diameters upstream of the sampling points.

• A manually controlled variable speed drive fan, capable of delivering up to 800 L s-l flow of air against the resistance of the complete equipment and filters, was used. It allowed continuous control of the flow in the range from 0 to 500 L s-l with fluctuations of less than ± 5%.

• The air relative humidity (RH) and temperature at the duct exhaust were measured during testing. These parameters ranged from 45 to 49%, and from 19.1 to 19.70C respectively. The RH range was within the recommended range (i.e. < 60% RH) (8).

• For all measurements, a 1 m long sampling line was used (Tygon S50HL, class VI, 1 / 4 xl / 1 6 ) . The effect of particle losses due to deposition was negligible (19).

Test Procedure

Test procedures were based on those for the Sodium Flame Method Test BS3928

(8), the Standard Test Method for Air Cleaning Performance of a HEPA Filter System (ASTM F1471-93) (11) and ASHRAE Standard 52.1-1992 (18). The following procedure was developed and adopted for filter testing: 1. SMPS, CNC, APS switched on with

20 minutes allowed for instruments to warm up;

2. three air samples from the laboratory room space taken;

3. filter to be tested located in the test duct or AAHL filter housing, and leak tested;

4. required airflow in the test duct set and run for 15 minutes to establish equilibrium;

5. with the aerosol generator off, three consecutive measurements of the upstream and downstream background concentrations taken by the SMPS, CNC and APS;

6. aerosol generator turned on and stabilised for 10 min;

7. three downstream samples taken by the SMPS, CNC and APS;

8. three upstream readings taken by the SMPS, CNC and APS;

9. generator switched off and steps 3-8 repeated for different settings (challenge aerosols, new filter).

The filter efficiency was investigated for airflows of 100, 330 and 472 L s-1 , which corresponds to air face velocities of 0.27, 0.89, and 1.27 m s_1 respectively.

The measurements of background (step 5) and downstream readings (step 7) were performed as follows: • three consecutive measurements with

the SMPS; sampling time approximately 5 min;

• three consecutive measurements with the APS; sampling time approximately 20 sec;

. three to five consecutive measurements with the CNC, depending on count-rate; sampling time approximately 2-10 min.

Upstream readings were measured by the SMPS and APS only. The CNC was not be used due to the high upstream concentration of challenge aerosol above the maximum counting range of the CNC.

Hole in Filter - Pinhole Effect

As discussed above, HEPA filters are tested before installation into the AAHL filtration system. The testing procedure is performed in two steps:

1) the filter is mounted in the test rig, and the filter penetration/efficiency is measured by using the Sodium Flame technique; and

2) the filter is removed from the test rig, and housed in a separate testing chamber. The upstream side of the tested filter is then exposed to aerosolised cold DOP; a highly penetrating aerosol. The downstream filter side is scanned over the surface, and the presence of any damage/leak across the filter is detected and localised depending on the nature of the leak. The damaged filter may be repaired and tested again, or it may be discarded, depending upon its ultimate intended application.

The filter integrity test method, as defined in AS 1807.6 (20), was used to measure the changes in a filter performance after it had been deliberately damaged with a small pin. The sensitivity and practicality of both the SMPS and APS for the integrity test leak detection method have been evaluated.

RESULTS

Penetration/Efficiency Measurements

Determination of filter penetration/ efficiency was based on the measurements and calculations using equation [1].

The performance of: i) one HEPA filter , ii) one ULPA filter, and iii) one HEPA and one ULPA filter in

tandem (two-stage setup) were tested.

Filters were challenged with an aerosol generated by six Collison nebulisers (21) from a 10% NaCl solution. The aerosol number CMD was in the range of 60 to 70 nm (7). Depending on the airflow and location of a sampling point, aerosol concentration was up to 1.86x107

particle cm -3. Figure 2 shows a typical number size distribution of the challenge aerosols used for filter testing. The particle size information combines data from both the SMPS and APS.

Filter penetration and efficiency values are summarised in Table 1.

The fractional and total penetrations of" the tested filters could not be determined by solely using SMPS since downstream readings in any channel size of the SMPS (for the lowest resolution), as well as the whole SMPS size range (17-700 nm), were below the lowest detectable concentration limit of the instrument which is 20 particle cm-3 (13).

To overcome this problem, another approach was adopted in which the determination of total penetration was based on the upstream measurements by the SMPS, and downstream and background measurements by the CNC.

Page 34 Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997

The CNC was connected directly to the sampling probe, and counted all particles, without their size classification, in time intervals of 2 to 10 minutes. This method allowed measurements of particle concentration as low as 0.0033 particle cm - 3 (1 count in 10 min).

The uncertainties for the penetration values were calculated from equation [3]. For ULPA filter, the count rate downstream was too low to allow relevant

error estimation. The coefficient of variation of penetration (CVn) for tested HEPA filters is presented in Table 1.

The following conclusions can be made from data presented in Table 1:

• The results of penetration measurements are consistent for repeated experimental runs;

• Penetration of one-stage ULPA filter challenged by aerosol generated by six Collison atomisers of concentration 1.672xl06 particle cm-3, CMD - 60 nm and MMD - 350 nm at 330 L s-1 was less than 6.58xl0 -9, and its efficiency was better than 99.9999993%;

• Penetration through one HEPA filter for the same settings as above was smaller than 4.32x10-7, and its efficiency was greater than 99.999957%;

• Penetration through one ULPA filter at an airflow of 472 L s-l was approximately 9.57x10-9, and its efficiency was greater than 99.9999990%, which is two orders of magnitude higher than that of the HEPA filter;

• The penetration through the two-stage setup: one HEPA and one ULPA filter in series at 330 L s - l , was less than 1.77xl0-9, and the efficiency greater than 99.9999998%. This penetration was approximately four times smaller than the penetration through one ULPA filter alone, and over 200 times smaller than the penetration through one HEPA filter alone;

• With the increase in airflow, the penetration of challenge the aerosol through the filter increased.

From the above results, the investigated HEPA and ULPA filters could be classified as U16 and U17 respectively according to the prEN1822 standard (6).

Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997 Page 35

Filter Penetration Measurement Using Sodium Flame Method (SFM)

Technical difficulties did not allow measurement of filter penetration by SFM simultaneously with SMPS, CNC, and APS.

The HEPA filter was measured by SFM, one week later, under the same testing conditions (six Collison nebulisers, 10% NaCl, 330 L s-1 airflow).

The downstream concentration of the challenge aerosol measured by SFM was undetectable. The penetration through the tested filter was below the limit of SFM.

Filter Penetration Measurement Using The Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS)

The concentration of the challenge aerosols that penetrated through the tested HEPA or ULPA filters was close to the detection level of the APS. Measured downstream and background concentrations were in the same range, which would made any estimation of filter penetration unreliable. For this reason, only the SMPS/CNC data were used for filter evaluation.

Pinhole Effect

The sensitivity and practicality of using both the SMPS and APS for leak detection was tested. A one stage HEPA filter was deliberately damaged - a hole through the filter paper was made by a small pin.

The measured values of the filter efficiency before and after the filter was

damaged are shown in Table 2. The corresponding particle size distributions of upstream and downstream samples, after the filter was perforated, are shown in Figure 3.

The effect of the pinhole on filter performance was significant. The ratio between penetrations of an undamaged (penetration - 1.l6xl0 -7) and damaged (penetration - (0.81-5.90)xl0-3 HEPA filter was approximately 1: 3x104

DISCUSSION

An important consideration in a high efficiency filter performance assessment is

the statistical significance of the data obtained. Particle concentration downstream of a high efficiency filter is very low, and so either a large number of samples should be taken, or the sampling time of an individual sample should be sufficiently long to allow for collection of statistically significant data. In practice, it is difficult to fulfill either of these requirements.

The testing procedure used for these measurements was time consuming, and effectively did not allow the collection of a large number of samples. The following aspects account for the duration of the testing procedure:

Page 36 Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997

• monitoring and controlling the testing system as well as the instrumentation is a complex procedure requiring a considerable amount of time;

• the system set up does not allow performance of upstream/downstream measurements from a stationary position, and so the SMPS instrumentation placed on a trolley had to be moved from one location to another. This increased the total testing time;

• the instrumentation has to be decontaminated for 30 to 60 minutes after being used for upstream measurements before it can be used again for downstream measurements;

• an increase in the number of samples taken would also result in an increase of filter loading with NaCl particles, resulting in changed filter characteristics.

In these investigations, three to five, 12 minute samples were taken for each setting, with the condition of repeatability of two consecutive readings within ± 5% (11).

To obtain statistically reliable data for determination of filter performance, it is recommended that the total particle count is about 100 above the background (11). For the investigated HEPA filters this condition was usually fulfilled: the total particle count varied from 20 to over 200 in 12 minutes.

For the ULPA filter measurements, this condition was not fulfilled: the total particle count in 12 minutes varied from 0 to only a few counts. To achieve the recommended level of 100 particles, the measurements would have to be extended to at least five hours. This is not practical, because in this period of time, the experimental conditions (aerosol generation, filter loading) would change significantly, thus affecting the outcome of the test.

The testing technique based on the SMPS/CNC proved to be the most sensitive when compared to other techniques as it allowed counting of individual particles. However, the efficiency of ULPA filters was so high that experimental determination of their efficiency, even using SMPS/CNC techniques, presented significant difficulties. For this reason, the determined penetration and efficiency of ULPA filters should be treated as indicative guidelines rather than exact values.

CONCLUSION

The measured efficiency of a HEPA filter, challenged with dry polydisperse NaCl aerosols of count median diameter 60 nm, at the flow rate of 472 L s-1 was approximately 99.999957%. For an ULPA filter tested under the same conditions, the efficiency was two orders of magnitude higher at 99.9999990%.

The penetration through a HEPA and ULPA filter in tandem was four times smaller than through an ULPA filter only, and approximately over 200 times smaller than through one HEPA filter.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This work was supported by the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand by providing a postgraduate scholarship for Mr. Jamriska.

The authors would like to thank to Dr. David Ensor, RTI North Carolina, for his valuable comments and assistance during the project preparation.

REFERENCES

(1) Liu, B.Y.H., Rubow, K.L., Pui, D.Y.H., Performance of HEPA and ULPA Filters, Institute of Environmental Sciences - 31st Annual technical meeting, Las Vegas, NEVADA, April 29 -May 2, 1985

(2) IES Contamination Control Division, Recommended Practice 007.1, Testing ULPA filters 1992.

(3) Avery, R.H., Selection and uses of HEPA and ULPA filters, Heating/Piping/Air Conditioning, January 1986

(4) Anderson, W.L., Making Sense of HEPA Filtration, Filtration & Separation, November/December 1989

(5) Dorman, R.G., A comparison of the methods used in the nuclear industry to test high efficiency filters, Final Report, Commission of the European Communities. V/3603,81 EN, Luxemburg, June 1981

(6) Wepfer, R., Characterisation of HEPA and ULPA Filters by Proposed New European Test Methods, Filtration & Separation June 1995

(7) Morawska, L., Jamriska, M., Martin D., Final Report: Determination of the Filtration Efficiency of HEPA and ULPA Filters Used at CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong, Victoria, School Of Physics QUT, Brisbane, July 1995

(8) British Standard 3928:1969. (1969), Method for Sodium Flame Test for Air filters. British Standards Institution

(9) Gras, J. L., HEPA Filters Testing in Australia, Clear Air, Vol.21/2, May 1987

(10) Lee, K.W., Liu, B.Y.H., On the Minimum Efficiency and the Most Penetrating Particle Size for Fibrous Filters, Journal of the Air Pollution Control Association, Vol.30, No.4, pp 377-381, April 1980

(11) Standard Test Method for Air Cleaning Performance of High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filter System., ASTM Committee, F21, F1471-93

(12) Sadjadi, R.M., Liu, B.Y.H., Characteristics of pin-hole leaks in HEPA and ULPA filters, Environmental

Engineering, March 1991, pp 6-9 (13) Model 3934 SMPS, Instruction Manual

(1993) TSI Inc., St.Paul, MN, USA (14) Model 3025A CNC, Instruction Manual

(1993), TSI Inc., St.Paul, MN, USA (15) Model 3310A APS, Instruction Manual

(1994), TSI Inc., St.Paul, MN, USA (16) Aerosol Measurement, Principles,

Techniques and Applications (1993)., EdK Willeke, P A Baron, VNR, NY

(17) Frisson, H., Sampling and Transport of Aerosols (1987). TSI Journal of Particle Instrumentation, Vol 2(2), TSI, St Paul, MN, USA

(18) Ashrae, Standard 52.1-1992 Method of Testing Air-Cleaning Devices used in General Ventilation for Removing Particulate Matter. America Society of Heating, Refrigeratory and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc., Atlanta, GA

(19) Ristovski, Z., Hidgins, J., Nwankwoala, A., Jamriska, M., Morawska, L., Performance evaluation on the SMPS under different aerosol environments., Submitted for publication in J.Aerosol Sci. Technology. (Feb 1997).

(20) Australian Standard 1807.6 (1989), Cleanrooms, workstations and safety cabinets - Methods of test. Method 6: Determination of integrity of terminally mounted HEPA filter insrallations.

(21) May, K. R., The Collison Atomiser Description, Performance and Application (1973). Environ Science, Vol 4, pp 235-243, Pergamon Press.

AUTHORS M. Jamriska, Centre for Medical and Health Physics, Queensland University of Technology.

D. Martin, CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, PO Bag 24, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia

L. Morawska, Centre for Medical and Health Physics, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia

(Author to whom correspondence should be directed.)

Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997 Page 37

REMAKING OF NEW SOUTH WALES CLEAN AIR REGULATIONS

The New South Wales Clean Air Act and associated Regulations are part of a range of tools used to maintain and improve air quality. The Regulations play a complementary role to other statutory, economic incentive and education based tools orientated at reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment.

Under the provisions of the NSW Subordinate Legislation Act, the NSW Clean Air Regulations 1964 and the NSW Ozone Protection Regulation 1991, had to be remade by 1 September 1997, otherwise they would have lapsed.

Accordingly, after a period of public consultation, the following four new Regulations were gazetted on 1 August 1997:

• Clean Air (Plant and Equipment) Regulation 1997;

• Clean Air (Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Fuels) Regulation 1997;

• Clean Air (Domestic Solid Fuel Heaters) Regulation 1997;

• Ozone Protection Regulation 1997.

Testing Methods for emission levels are now found in the Manual of Air Quality Testing published by the NSW EPA which is referenced in the Regulations.

A fifth Regulation covering the controls on burning by open fire or incinerator in declared areas (Clean Air (Control of Burning) Regulation 1995) is not due for staged repeal until 2000 and hence was not included in this review.

CLEAN AIR (PLANT AND EQUIPMENT) REGULATION 1997

The new Plant and Equipment Regulation covers scheduled and non-scheduled premises. Emission limits for existing plant are unchanged and more stringent limits are proposed only for those scheduled premises where:

(a) the EPA has, before 31 December 1996, informed the occupier in writing that, as from 1 August 1997, those premises will have to comply with the requirements similar or

identical to those set out in the Table in the relevant clause of the Regulation, and

(b) the premises becomes scheduled on or after 1 August 1997, other than premises in respect of which a development application has been made before that: date to carry out the development which has resulted in those premises becoming scheduled premises.

For non-scheduled premises, the new limits (solid particles (clause 14) and smoke (clause 16) only) will apply to plant that first came into operation on or after 1 August 1997 as a result of a development application made on or after that date.

Specifically, the main features of this Regulation are:

• A change to a much simpler, more accessible format clearly setting out emission limits for each pollutant in Table form;

• Maintenance of existing requirements for existing plant, except if the plant has been notified in writing of the stricter requirements prior to 31 December 1996;

• Coverage of the same range of pollutants as the current regulation with the addition of a wider range of hazardous substances and dioxins and furans for municipal incinerators;

• More stringent limits have been set for oxides of nitrogen, solid particles, hydrogen chloride, fluorine compounds (from aluminium smelters only), smoke (non-scheduled premises only), hazardous substances and dioxins and furans (municipal incinerator sires).

CLEAN AIR (MOTOR VEHICLES & MOTOR VEHICLE FUELS) REGULATION 1997

Changes are made by the regulation to ensure the Regulation is consistent with national legislation, and to accommodate recent technological developments include:

• Updating for consistency with national standards (Australian Design Rules);

• Reduction of the maximum lead concentration of leaded petrol from 0.4g/L to 0.2g/L;

• Two additional regulations: - specification of prescribed anti­

pollution devices for all vehicles; and - provision for suspension of

registration if vehicle not presented for inspection;

• Provision of powers to take photos, videos and samples in investigations.

CLEAN AIR (DOMESTIC SOLID FUEL HEATERS) REGULATION 1997

This regulation simply confirms the previous regulation (1995) with the removal of the five (5) year limit to Compliance Certificates issued by the EPA for new heaters.

OZONE PROTECTION REGULATION 1997

This Regulation steps up the protection of the ozone layer by extending controls over ozone depleting substances to HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons). It tightens control of the sale, purchase and use of HCFCs, prohibits improper disposal of these ozone depleting substances including halons and requires companies and technicians working with HCFCs to be authorised by the EPA or its delegates.

This new regulation complements national and other states' legislation designed to protect the ozone layer.

Text of the Regulations can be found in the NSW Government Gazette of 1 August 1997.

Further information on the technical aspects of the new Regulations can be obtained by contacting the A/Manager Air Policy Section, NSW Environment Protection Authority on (02) 9795 5179.

Page 38 Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997

AUSTRAUAN CHAMBER OF MANUFACTURES

NEW FROM STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

Standards Australia is researching the need for a generic Standard to specify requirements for management systems in the quality, environmental and occupational health and safety fields.

Their working group is currently looking at material relating to ISO 9000, ISO 14000 and a Draft of a proposed Standard for occupational health and safety management systems.

The group is keen to obtain as much input as possible from industry. Suggestions and feedback can be sent to Brian Rowe at Standards Australia by email on brian.rowe@saa.sa.telememo.au.

NSW TRADE WASTE CONFERENCE

ACM's 4th Annual Trade Waste Conference was held in Sydney on 31 July.

The Conference considered the significant changes to trade waste policies managed by Sydney Water following the release of the NSW EPA's Load Based Licensing Regulation. Likely changes under the new Regulation include:

• Stricter standards for sewer acceptance • Development of amass based Trade

Waste Policy by Sydney Water • Allocation of trade waste fees to the

Environmental Trusts

Many manufacturers are concerned about Sydney Waters limits and costs of compliance. The Conference focussed on contentious limits such as suspended solids and other issues including:

• Future directions of the Policy • Impact on trade waste of Load Based

Licensing • Customer relations and policing of

trade waste policies • Relationship between industry and

Sydney Water • Impact of National Pollutant

Inventory reporting on trade waste • Cost-effective solutions to specific

problems • Additional information and assistance

For more information or registrations call Megan Brazel at ACM Environment & Technical Services in Sydney on (02) 9372 0400.

ENERGY FILE

Some recent energy matters about which companies should be aware, are:

NSW Electricity Market - 750 megawatt hour customers in NSW became eligible to join the contestable electricity market on 1 July, 1997. They can now negotiate a contract for their power needs with their preferred retailer. Companies should act quicldy to take advantage of competitive prices.

NSW Electricity Privatisation - The NSW Treasurer, Mr Egan, has made a proposal for the privatisation of the NSW electricity industry. The proposal will be considered by Caucus and opposition is expected.

Newport Power Station - Victorian Government has announced it will temporarily close the Station for up to 3 years. The Station has not generated since heatwave conditions in February 1997. A $6 million upgrade has been announced. The Station is operated by Ecogen which also runs the Jeeralang station in the Latrobe Valley.

National Electricity Market (NEM1) began on Sunday 4 May 1997 with electricity transfers across the border between competitive markets in Victoria and NSW.

The Regulator-General, Victoria, has advised the Electricity Supply and Sale Code for customers will be distributed with forthcoming bills.

The Victorian Treasurer, Mr Alan Stockdale, has announced that PowerNet, the State's high-voltage transmission group, was now up for sale.

NSW Government has introduced a Distributor Levy which adds significantly to the bills of contestable customers in NSW.

'Quality of supply - Recent figures provided by the Regulator-General, Victoria, show a decline in the average time off supply per customer caused by blackouts and interruptions since 1991-92. During 1996, the average customer suffered 218 minutes off supply. ACM is concerned a new pattern may be emerging where some customers are experiencing an increase in the frequency of short interruptions to supply. ACM will provide feedback on this issue.

New Victorian Gas companies -The Victorian Government launched the operation of three new gas companies to

handle retail gas sales and another three companies for gas distribution in the State. These would operate as divisions of Gas and Fuel in the lead up to privatisation next year. Retailers are Kinetic Energy, Ikon Energy and Energy 21. Distributors are Westar, Multinet Gas and Stratus Networks.

Federal Government cutbacks - recent funding cutbacks mean energy-related programs by the Federal Government have been dropped. These include: ERDC (Energy Research and Development Corporation) where no new projects can be commenced, the National Energy Awards (by DPIE) which have ceased and the Enterprise Energy Audit Scheme (by DPIE) which are no longer available.

NSW HAZARDOUS WASTE LICENCES

New arrangements for companies producing hazardous wastes were announced recently by the NSW EPA.

From 1 July 1997, every company which generates more than 10 tonnes of hazardous waste per year will require a licence. Failure to take a licence could expose companies to fines up to $125,000.

The announcement about licences followed recent advice from the NSW EPA which gave industry just two weeks to review its new draft 'Model Licence -Hazardous Waste Generators or Storage'. ACM made a submission and is awaiting a response.

The final licence conditions are being developed and will accompany the revised 'Waste Minimisation and Management Regulation', which was due for proclamation on 30 June 1997.

The key conditions mentioned in the draft licence include:

• Requirement to prepare Emergency Plans

• Requirement to prepare Operations and Maintenance Manuals

• Reporting requirements on the movements of hazardous wastes

• Hazardous wastes to be assessed according to the EPA's Environmental Guidelines: Solid Waste Assessment (note: the final version was released on 1 July 1997).

Companies interested in further details on the draft Licence conditions should contact Andrew Doig, Manager Environment & Technical Services in Sydney on ACM on (02) 9372 0423.

Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997 Page 39

NSW ELECTRICITY LEVY IS ANTI-COMPETITIVE

Companies in NSW should take note of the controversial Electricity Distributor Levy announced recently in NSW State Budget.

The levy, which applies to contestable electricity customers from 1 July 1997, will result in price increases of between 20% and 30%. This will effectively cancel out savings achieved through negotiation of contracts in the competitive electricity market.

The State Government aims to achieve revenue of $ 100 million a year through the levy. Eventually the levy will apply to all NSW businesses and household customers as they become contestable by December 2000.

ACM believes the Levy presents a sudden and unjust penalty on industry and should be withdrawn. The new tax jeopardises the benefits from recent competitive reforms in the NSW energy sector and severely disadvantages electricity customers in the contestable market. ACM is also concerned that similar levies may be introduced as gas and water competition are phased in.

ACM has written to the NSW Treasurer, Mr Egan, to withdraw the levy. ACM has represented industry's opposition to the levy prior to its consideration by the NSW Legislative Council. No response has yet been achieved.

For more information contact Andrew Doig, Manager Environment & Technical Services in Sydney on ACM on (02) 9372 0423.

WHOLESALE ELECTRICITY SAVINGS FOR YAMASA

Companies at a recent meeting of the ACM Electricity Connections network were able to find out about bypassing rerailers and buying their power directly from the wholesale market.

John Shaw, General Manager, Yamasa Seafood Australia at Lavcrton North, Victoria, provided feedback on his firm's decision to purchase electricity directly through wholesale arrangements and described his experience in the market. Yamasa Seafood became Victoria's first company not in the power industry to risk trading on the wholesale electricity market.

Yamasa Seafood, made a decision to become a wholesale buyer after learning its power bills would go up after becoming a contestable customer through Victorias competitive electricity reforms. Despite the volatility of prices which occurred during the high demand periods

in January and February 1997, Yamasa Seafood has been able to achieve significant savings since entering the wholesale market in late 1996. It remains the only contestable customer to buy from the market.

Yamasa Seafood supplies processed seafood to food manufacturers in local and overseas markets. It recently introduced SURIMI Magic, a crab flavoured seafood product as a retail item in local stores.

ACM congratulates Yamasa Seafood Australia for recognising an opportunity for potential benefits and taking up the challenge of the new wholesale market to achieve savings. ACM is also grateful to Yamasa Seafood Australia, a distinguished ACM member, for sharing its experience in the market with other companies through the ACM Electricity Connections network. ACM also hopes SURIMI Magic is a retail success.

DRAFT NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION MEASURES EXPECTED'

Two draft National Environment Protection Measures (NEPMs) have been released following a meeting of the National Environment Protection Council (NEPC) in Cairns recently.

The draft Measures are the 'National Pollutant Inventory' and Ambient Air Quality' and are the first issues considered through the NEPC. Public comments are invited on these drafts. Copies may be obtained from the National Environment Protection Council Service Corporation in Adelaide, telephone (08) 8224 0040.

ACM provided briefings for industry on these important issues in late July and early August 1997.

For further details contact John Newton, Environment &C Technical Services in Melbourne on (03) 9698 4309.

ELECTRICITY CONTRACTS

ACM EUctricity Connections is a luncheon network for contestable electricity customers to meet and discuss issues which may help in their contract negotiations and renewals. Regular meetings arc held to discuss issues such as prices, supply conditions, contracts, performance, metering and service.

ACM recognises thai well informed electricity customers are a primary driver (or continued growth in electricily market competition.

The cost is $2*) lor AC !M members and $35 lor non-members and includes a light lunch.

For more information or registration please contact Olivia Champion at ACM Environment and Technical Services in Melbourne on (03) 9698 4371.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

ACM s Environmental Luncheon Network continues to provide industry representatives with valuable information and networking opportunities to assist participants with their environmental performance.

The last Environmental Network Luncheon was held on Tuesday 5 August 1997. Mr Pat Davem, SCORI Environmental Pry Ltd, discussed 'Managing environmentally hazardous materials'.

For more information about ACM's Environmental Luncheon Network please contact Olivia Champion at ACM Environment and Technical Services in Melbourne on (03) 9698 4371.

ACM ELECTRICITY BUYING GROUP

Electricity customers in NSW are reminded that sites using more than 750 megawatt hours per annum (approx. $70,000) became eligible on 1 July 1997 for competitive market arrangements to look for a better electricity deal.

Those firms can now negotiate a contract for the supply of their power needs with their preferred electricity retailer.

Firms who find the contract process is too complex or time consuming should consider using the ACM Electricity Buying Group. The scheme is open to contestable customers in NSW and Victoria to obtain competitive electricity prices and better supply conditions.

The Buying Group scheme is convenient, cost-effective and offers favourable prices through bulk buying. It saves on the large amount of time involved in preparing tenders, shopping around for deals and negotiating a contract with electricity retailers.

For a brochure or more information about the ACM Electricity Buying Croup contact Robert Lorenzon in Melbourne on (03) 9698 4389 or Andrew Doig in Sydney on (02) 9372 0423.

Page 40 Clean Air Volume 31 N0.3. August 1997

Inter-Governmental Agreement on the Environment, will lead to the integrated decision-making which will underline the strategy have yet to be seen.

INTRODUCTION

Air quality management in Queensland is undertaken through the Environmental Protection Act (1), which has the objective of achieving ecologically sustainable development through an integrated environmental management program. Four phases for achieving the objective are outlined in the Act, namely: establishing the state of the environment and defining environmental values, developing effective environmental strategies, implementing the strategies and integrating them into resource

management, and ensuring accountability for the strategies. Thus, the latter three phases relate to air quality management strategies.

In particular, phase two refers to environmental protection policies which may decide environmental indicators, establish ambient and emission standards, require waste management in accordance with the waste hierarchy, and advise on management practices; while phase three refers to the integration of environmental values into land use planning and management of natural resources, ensuring all practicable measures are taken to protect environmental values, to monitor discharges and to pay the costs and penalties set down for causing environmental harm. In completion of phase two the public consultation draft of

THE SOUTH-EAST QUEENSLAND REGIONAL AIR QUALITY STRATEGY

P. Morgan

SUMMARY

Development of a regional air quality strategy for the South-East Queensland (SEQ) region was initiated in 1992, funded by the Queensland Government with support from the Brisbane City Council. So far, work completed towards the development of the strategy has included an analysis of fifteen years of continuous air monitoring data in the Brisbane area, modelling of the meteorology associated with two classes of high photochemical oxidant days, and compilation of an inventory of emissions for the region. Some preliminary photochemical modelling has commenced. The outcomes of these studies provide the technical basis for a strategy to maintain acceptable air quality in the SEQ region.

The air quality strategy began separately from, but is now being developed with, the SEQ Regional Framework for Growth Management (RFGM), to deliver sustainable development in this very rapidly growing region of Australia. Each component of the RFGM has its own Steering Committee and Technical Advisory Group, though with a good deal of overlap in the membership. The major Local Government in the SEQ region, Brisbane City Council, is developing its own independent Clean Air Strategy, but maintains a representation on both SEQRAQS and the RFGM.

Progress in the development of the strategy has been slow, mainly because data acquisition has taken longer than expected. The phase of turning data into information and applying it to determining a strategy will require skills different from those needed in the earlier phase, and will also require a capacity to deal with other, especially political, priorities. The strategy development has only recently begun dealing with the implications of the findings of the data gathering tasks. Whether the current arrangements for delivering a credible and workable air quality strategy are adequate, and whether national processes, such as those being developed as outcomes of the

Inter-Governmental Agreement on the Environment, will lead to the integrated decision-making which will underline the strategy have yet to be seen.

INTRODUCTION

Air quality management in Queensland is undertaken through the Environmental Protection Act (1), which has the objective of achieving ecologically sustainable development through an integrated environmental management program. Four phases for achieving the objective are outlined in the Act, namely: establishing the state of the environment and defining environmental values, developing effective environmental strategies, implementing the strategies and integrating them into resource

management, and ensuring accountability for the strategies. Thus, the latter three phases relate to air quality management strategies.

In particular, phase two refers to environmental protection policies which may decide environmental indicators, establish ambient and emission standards, require waste management in accordance with the waste hierarchy, and advise on management practices; while phase three refers to the integration of environmental values into land use planning and management of natural resources, ensuring all practicable measures are taken to protect environmental values, to monitor discharges and to pay the costs and penalties set down for causing environmental harm. In completion of phase two the public consultation draft of

Clean Air Volume 31 N0.3. August 1997 Page 41

the Environmental Protection (Air) Policy (2) details the preferred management approach to be applied to waste discharges to the air environment. However, the Policy's attainment program is focussed on the management of individual or specific categories of discharges, rather than managing che net impacts in a region of a large number of individual sources which discharge contaminants which may interact or accumulate.

STRUCTURAL ARRANGEMENTS AND TASKS

As described previously by Verrall et al (3), the first steps to set up the South-East Queensland Regional Air Quality Strategy (SEQRAQS)were taken in 1992. The initial structural arrangements for the development of SEQRAQS were for the involvement of the Departments of Transport (DoT) and Environment and Heritage (DEH), and the Brisbane City

Council (BCC) comprising a Steering Group of senior officers. This group prepared draft Terms of Reference for the two Ministers and the Lord Mayor which were adopted after some revisions in May 1993. These focussed on the expeditious completion of a series of essential data collection and information gathering tasks and the subsequent preparation of a draft strategy. Table 1 summarises the Terms of Reference.

A major planning exercise in the management of regional development, particularly in environmentally sensitive areas, to deal with the rapidly growing 5EQ region was already in train in 1993. This exercise, known as SEQ 2001, commenced in 1990 and included all the stakeholders, ie State Government, Local Government, industry, academic and other researchers, architects, developers, and community and conservation groups. After a two-year consultation period a preferred development strategy was agreed to, and was formally adopted by

Government into a Regional Framework for Growth Management (RFGM) which includes a detailed Regional Outline Plan (4). The management of air quality is Section 4 of the Plan, and Priority Action 4.2 is the establishment of SEQRAQS, giving a priority to the Brisbane River Valley region of the airshed. Figure 1 shows the extent of the SEQ airshed, which is centred on the Brisbane River Valley.

PROGRESS WITH TASKS

Table 2 outlines the technical tasks to be undertaken in accordance with the SEQRAQS Steering Group Terms of Reference to enable the preparation of a draft strategy. Completion of these tasks would provide the requisite scientific knowledge, and should enable the critical path to maintaining and improving ambient air quality in the region to be identified. 1 he strategy then establishes the framework and actions for proceeding along this path.

Early findings were discussed by Verrall et al (3) and Lunncy et al (5). These related to the underlying trends in the historical monitoring data record, characterising the meteorological conditions associated with high pollution days and the identification of gaps in the air monitoring network. Since that time the original three station monitoring network has been expanded to ten stations to better cover the airshed (see Figure 1) and has incorporated a Brisbane CBD station. Collaboration with the Environmental Aerosol Laboratory at the Queensland University of Technology has enabled this CBD station to be established at QUT.

Since 1994 a further data gathering task, the compilation of an inventory of emissions, has been completed. A key feature of this inventory is the significance of biogenic sources for VOC emissions and the dominance of domestic solid fuel combustions as a source of VOCs, NOx, and SO7 in winter. Figure 2 shows the relative contributions to emissions from various source categories. A computer model is currently being developed in collaboration with Griffith University, with a significant funding from the Department of Environment. Some preliminary modelling work has been undertaken through this collaboration, but not yet reported.

Progressing beyond completion of the data gathering tasks has been hampered by a number of factors. One of these has been the need to locus initially on the technical issues in the development of the SEQRAQS program. Now that they are largely dealt with, the Steering Group has been recently expanded to include representatives from all the Government agencies likely to have an interest in the

Page 42 Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997

South-East Queensland Regional Air Quality Strategy Steering Group Summary of Terms of Reference

• Collect all relevant data required for the formulation of an Air Quality Strategy for the South-East Queensland Region through: - determination of the data collection tasks to be undertaken; - establishment of a priority order for the conduct of these tasks; - establishment of timelines for performance of these tasks; - preparation of tasks briefs; and, - completion of the data collection tasks.

• Establish a Technical Advisory Committee for the purpose of utilising relevant expertise outside the field of government.

• Recommend a consultation process to solicit comments on the findings of the data collection tasks

• Draft a Strategy to ensure an acceptable quality of clean air in the South-East Queensland Region

• Submit the draft Strategy to relevant governments for approval for public consultation

• Recommend a Strategy for adoption by relevant governments which takes into account results of public consultation

• Oversee the implementation of the adopted Strategy, including adequate processes of public information and education.

Task

Review historical air monitoring data

Identify meteorological and related factors controlling pollution episodes

Identify areas not adequately monitored

Compile an inventory of emissions

Develop a computer model to accurately simulate air quality in the region

Use the validated computer model and emissions projections to predict future air quality data

Conduct sensitivity studies using the computer model by simulating the effects of various emission reduction strategies for specific sources or source categories

Outcome

Identify trends in the data and locally high values ('hot spots')

Identify dispersion conditions and transport flows which link emission sources to 'hot spots'

Cover monitoring gaps with new monitoring stations or die relocation of existing ones

Quantify the emissions of the relevant pollutants (eg CO, VOCs.NOx) and the amounts emitted by various source categories

Simulate the transport, dispersion and transformations of emissions in three dimensions, and validate by comparing model estimates with monitoring areas

Prediction of future pollutant levels in the region generally and most frequent receptor areas

Identify the most effective emission reduction strategies for submission to practicability and cost-effective analyses

formulation of the strategy or be affected by its implementation. The Group currently has twelve members, and underwent further changes as a result of the change in government in February 1996. Since then, a number of portfolio re-arrangements have occurred, shifting policy responsibilities on matters relevant to SEQRAQS from some agencies to others.

DISCUSSION

It is worth noting that, so far, no State or Territory Government in Australia has finalised and adopted an air quality management strategy, even though some States have completed extensive air quality studies in major urban airsheds. NSW seems close to doing so following the findings of the Sydney Metropolitan Air Quality Study, and, in Queensland, Brisbane City Council, the biggest Local Government body in Australia, has prepared a draft Brisbane Air Quality Strategy for public comment (6).

CHARACTERISTICS OF AN AIR QUALITY STRATEGY

An air quality strategy may be envisaged as the next level in air quality management down from an environmental protection policy. The policy provides the framework for management of air quality by setting objectives to be achieved, outlining attainment and assessment programs and indicating specific programs for particular categories of emission sources. A regional air quality strategy could be seen as defining particular objectives to be achieved in a region which fulfil the requirements of the policy, and the attainment programs that will achieve the objectives for that region.

There are a number of key elements in any management strategy. Firstly, it should provide a framework for the set of management actions to be implemented, not just the actions themselves. Secondly, it should identify that management is comprehensive, focussed particularly on sources of emissions that affect air quality and on interactions which may exacerbate air quality effects, and integrated, that is taking a holistic approach to air quality rather than focussing on specific sources separately and ignoring their interdependence or cumulative effects, or fundamental factors relating to planning or economics. The objective of the strategy has to be at least the maintenance of acceptable air quality, and, preferably, the improvement of a currently acceptable level, and the action plans must include economic and social actions which contribute to achieving the objective.

Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997 Page 43

DIFFICULTY IN DEVELOPING AN ACCEPTABLE STRATEGY

The problem of producing and implementing an air quality strategy relate largely to non-technical issues. Although a strategy must be based on the essential scientific knowledge of locations of sources and receptors of pollutants and the factors which cause them to be linked, it should be seen as a socio­political process of decision-making born out of consultation and the identification and balancing of priorities. Thus gathering the technical information is merely the first, and probably the easiest, phase of the process. Once this phase of turning data into information has been completed, technical priorities for action to maintain acceptable air quality are relatively easy to identify and an implementation program can be readily drawn up.

At this point the web of interaction with other issues, e.g. land use planning, transport, freight and energy planning, economic development, and so on, becomes more apparent. For example, a major NOx emitting industry may be proposed in the SEQ airshed. Its siting can have the effect of increasing the amount of ozone generated or decreasing it depending on a number of technical factors, such as stack height and plume buoyancy, and non-technical factors such as location in the airshed and fuel choice based on costs and security supply. If land use planning decisions have been separately made about preferred areas for industrial developments, the large NOx source may have to be located where it will contribute additional photochemical oxidant. In this case, an air quality strategy would need to have the full range of potential solutions built in, for example options for a tradeable NOx emissions market in the airshed, or economic incentives to locate elsewhere, or performance improvement from the current NOx emitters to increase the available assimilative capacity in the airshed, and so on. The appropriate solution or mix of solutions could then be evaluated.

For air quality specialists the data collection and analysis is regarded a.s crucially important, because tlicy ensure an accurate and detailed understanding of what is causing, or may cause in the future, unacceptable air quality. The view that this is the minimum information required before any amelioration or prevention strategies can be adequately considered or evaluated may not be shared by policy makers, economists, resource managers, corporations or Governments. For some or all of these, facilitating or ensuring development is a given, usually in a short time frame, and

removing apparent environmental obstacles is considered acceptable. The second phase in the development of an air quality strategy, ie the framework for dealing with the non-technical issues which takes account of the current and foreseeable socio-political imperatives, is one with which air quality specialists are often least comfortable because it requires a series of trade-offs, some of which may be contrary to indications of the scientific data or analyses. They may come to the perception that environmental imperatives are regarded as a lesser part in the decision-making process. An integrated strategy overcomes these difficulties by incorporating both the technical and non-technical considerations within its framework.

CONCLUSION

The South-East Queensland Regional Air Quality Strategy (SEQRAQS) has only recently entered this second phase of its development. The consultative processes to be now undertaken in order to achieve a consensus on priorities for action should be assisted by the influence of the broad regional growth management process, the Regional Framework for Growth Management (RFGM) and the Regional Outline Plan, the outcome of an extended multi-stakeholder consultation, as some of this ground has been covered already in the formulation of RFGM.

Regrettably, one of the key stakeholders in the development of the strategy, Brisbane City Council has decided to proceed with an air quality strategy for its own area which covers about one quarter to one third of the region. This has resulted in an apparent dichotomy between the careful and measured approach to sttategy development for the whole region taking account of all the significant interactions, as adopted in the SEQRAQS program, and the presentation of a set of largely 'no regrets' energy saving, waste reduction and public transport solutions by the BCC for only part of the airshed. A perception has been generated that the slower timetable for SEQRAQS is unnecessarily conservative, particularly as a number of the actions to improve air quality for the whole region will be similar to those advocated by the BCC in its strategy. As lias been discussed earlier, the complexity of the meteorology of the region, the locations of major sources relative ro sensitive receptor areas, the impacts of sources within the BCC area on receptors outside it and vice versa, and, most: importantly, the need to resolve the concerns ol all stakeholders, do not: allow quick solutions to be proposed for SEQRAQS.

REFERENCES

(1) Government of Queensland, Environmental Protection Act 1994, Government Printer, Queensland (1994)

(2) Government of Queensland, Draft Environmental Protection (Air) Policy 1995 and explanatory notes, Department of Environment and Heritage (1995) 56 pages

(3) Verrall K., Wainwright D. and Bofinger N., Some Unique Aspects of an Air Quality Strategy for Brisbane, Proceedings of 12th International Clean Air Conference, Perth, 23-28 October (1994) Vol 1, pages 339-351

(4) Government of Queensland, South East Queensland Regional Framework for Growth Management 1995, Regional Coordination Committee (September 1995) 70 pages

(5) Lumney K., Best P. and Anh V, Synthetic Approaches to Air Quality Management Problems for Urban Areas, Proceedings of 12th International Clean Air Conference, Perth 23-28 October (1994) Vol 2, pages 107-118

(6) Brisbane City Council, Protecting Brisbane's Air Quality, Brisbane City Council (March 1994)

Phil Morgan is Manager Scientific Assessment

Queensland Department of Environment

P.O. Box 155 Brisbane Albert Street Queensland 4002

P a s e ** Clean Air Volume 31 N0.3. August 1997

Clean Air Volume 31 NO.3. August 1997

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