Diesel Emissions
Diesel emissions are considered to be cancerous by most recognised authorities including the United States Environment Protection Authority (US EPA). The US EPA says: There is no known safe exposure to diesel exhaust for children, especially those with asthma or other chronic respiratory disease. There is no single standard for acceptable cancer risk from diesel exhaust in the U.S.
Over 30 human epidemiological studies in the USA have found a link between diesel exhaust and lung cancer. One study by state air pollution regulators held diesel soot emissions responsible for 125,000 cancer cases in the USA(source http://www.pirg.org/cleanairnow/fact.Html)
Our children are at risk in Yarraville. Sommerville Road has two schools situated right on it, St Augustines in Yarraville and Kingsville West in Kingsville plus the Yarraville Community Centre with its Occasional Child Care. Also Yarraville West Primary,Wembley Primary, Yarraville Special Development School, Norfolk St Kindergarten and Child Care Centre are are all in close proximity to Sommerville Rd, Francis St and Williamstown Rd.
In June and July 2002 the Victorian EPA monitored local air quality in Francis St. Among the pollutants monitored were particles and fine particles which are caused by vehicle emissions, particularly diesel. The Vic EPA's State Environment Protection Policy sets Intervention Levels which are risk based concentrations designed to protect human health. During the 4 week monitoring level the Intervention Levels for Particles was exceeded on 4 days and the Levels for Fine Particles on 5 days.
One diesel truck can emit as much pollution as 100 cars
source:http://www.pirg.org/cleanairnow/fact.Html
The report compared Francis Street air quality with two other sites in Melbourne, one of which is Hoddle St in Collingwood, a major arterial road which carries much more traffic than Francis Street. During testing over a 12 month period beside Hoddle Street the Intervention Levels were never exceeded. The reasons for this, despite the significantly higher number of vehicles on Hoddle St, is that most vehicles on Hoddle St are powered by petrol and not diesel.
To put it more simply, the quality of air on Francis Street which is a residential street is significantly worse than a major arterial road such as Hoddle St. The EPA went on to say " it is our judgement that the air quality in Francis Street, Yarraville represents an issue for environmental protection, especially given the comparison with another road carrying greater traffic load."
This report also said "In simple terms these levels of pollutants (on Francis St) can result in an increased incidence of respiratory and cardiovascular related illnesses."
To read the full version of this report click here
The Vic EPA has agreed to conduct a syudy into the health of residents exposed to diesel emissions in Yarraville. click here for info
