Call for better air quality standards

A coalition of more than 20 environment groups has written to federal and state environment ministers to oppose a move by the federal government to water down national air quality standards.

The groups, including the Australian Conservation Foundation, Environment Victoria and the Queensland Conservation Council, say the proposed draft air quality standards are significantly weaker than standards recommended by health experts.

Spokesperson for Environment Victoria, Bronwen Machin, said that although the draft standards have not been publicly released, environment groups have had no choice but to publicise them because governments are bowing to industry pressure instead of protecting the environment and the health of the community.

The draft standards which appear likely to be weakened are:

• no air quality standard for very fine particulates, which health experts argue are the most damaging to human health;

• weaker standards for ozone (the major component of smog) and sulphur dioxide than recommended by experts; and

• inadequate requirements for air quality monitoring.

National air quality standards are to be the central feature of the National Environment Protection Measure for air, currently being negotiated by the National Environment Protection Council. The council has been established by federal and state governments to develop national standards for protection of the Australian environment.

The Breathers' Rights Front is calling for a boycott of private car use during the Sydney Olympics. The organisation wants vehicular use kept to a minimum in the metropolitan area in order to create a pollution-free atmosphere for the event. "These are supposedly the Green Olympics. The majority of transport should be by public means, such as bus, train and ferry", said spokesperson Marty Branagan. "Pedestrians, bikes, light rails and trams should be prioritised."

From GLW issue 297