By ALESHA CAPONE
BROOKLYN is still polluted with 10 times more toxic dust than the rest of Melbourne, endangering the health of residents.
According to the state Environment Protection Authority, Brooklyn recorded 20 days during the 2011-2012 financial year when PM10 dust levels were higher than the recommended safety amount.
‘PM10’ refers to particles which measure 10 micrometres or less and can cause medical problems if people are exposed to them at high levels.
EPA Victoria’s information sheets say depending on exposure rates, “PM10 dust can aggravate existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease, decrease lung function, exacerbate asthma and alter the body’s defence and lung-clearance mechanisms.”
The EPA recommends people should only be exposed to five days per year when PM10 levels are higher than the safety level.
Aside from Brooklyn, Melbourne’s s average PM10 reading is only two days per year.
At a recent Brooklyn Community Reference Group (BCRG) meeting, residents expressed their concern about the area’s industrial precinct causing dangerous dust levels.
Long-time resident Laurie Bell told Star he did not believe the dust problem would be resolved within his lifetime.
“It’s not only adults worried about their health,” Mr Bell said.
“They’re worried about their kids too growing up in the area and they’re worried about the dust and the effect it could have on them.”
An EPA-commissioned study which assessed PM10 levels in road dust from Brooklyn’s industrial precinct was released at the BCRG meeting.
The report said the “intervention level” for PM10 dust was being exceeded in the residential areas south of the Geelong Rd and McDonald Rd intersection and along Corrigan Ave and Stenhouse Ave.
A member of the Yarraville-based On the Nose group, Bruce Light, said the EPA and councils “were doing their best” but the State Government needed crack down on the dust issue.
“Melbourne is supposed to be the most liveable city in the world, but how can they claim that when we’re so polluted with odour and dust in the western suburbs?” he said.
Star contacted a spokesperson for the Environment Minister but did not receive a response.
