East West Link
Literature Review
November 2013
A review of literature regarding the health effects of proximity to
major roads
Image source: http://www.linkingmelbourne.vic.gov.au/pages-support/photos/photosWestlink/20120724_110519/20120724_110617_medium.jpg (accessed 13 November 2013)
Contents
Contents ............................................................................................................................... 1
Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1
Background .......................................................................................................................... 1
East West Link ................................................................................................................... 1
Our community ................................................................................................................... 1
Literature review .................................................................................................................. 3
Application.......................................................................................................................... 4
References ........................................................................................................................... 5
Introduction
Local Government has a responsibility to protect and ensure the health of our community. The
Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 specifies Council’s role in creating an environment that
supports the health of the local community and strengthens the capacity of the community and
individuals to achieve better health.
Models such as the Environments for Health framework further guide councils to think broadly
about public health and wellbeing. Particularly, the Framework identifies that the social,
economic, natural and built aspects of the world around us have an impact on health and
quality of life. Moonee Valley City Council acknowledges that our health and wellbeing are
impacted by the places in which we live, work, play and visit.
Background
East West Link
The Victorian Government is planning to build an east west road link across Melbourne,
spanning approximately 18 kilometres across the city. This project has been divided into an
Eastern section and a Western section, with the Eastern section.
The Eastern section will connect the Eastern Freeway with CityLink, and will include a tunnel
section, taking the road underground across parts of Melbourne, with above ground sections
of road linking to the Western section. The Western section will link the Port of Melbourne to
West Footscray and the Western Ring Road. This section will be completed in stage two, and
is yet to receive funding commitment.
An indicative project map (the referenced design) for the first stage of the East West Link has
been developed, however the full extent of the impact the project will have on Moonee Valley
and our residents. From the information currently available it is likely that the East West Link
will increase noise and air pollution for people living in, and visiting, areas around the new
freeway.
Our community
The City of Moonee Valley is a largely residential area covering 43 km², located between four
and 13 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD. The city is divided into three wards – Rose Hill,
Buckley and Myrnong.
Around 116,000 residents or 45,000 households call Moonee Valley home. The community is
culturally and linguistically diverse, with more than a quarter of the population born overseas.
East West Link: the health effects of proximity to major roads
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Demographic data1 for the three suburbs within Moonee Valley that are most likely to be
impacted is included below.
Flemington
Overall, 21.9 per cent of the Flemington population was aged between 0 and 17 and 30.1 per
cent of households had children, with 12 per cent of households having young children.
Flemington is the suburb with the lowest Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) index
(892), indicating that the population of this Moonee Valley suburb experiences the most
disadvantage when compared to other Moonee Valley suburbs. In the 2011 Census, relatively
high levels of unemployment were recorded in Flemington (10.7% of the labour force) and
Travancore (10.6%). A higher incidence (33.%) of households in Flemington fall within the
lowest quartile of household income (less than $871 per week) when compared with greater
Melbourne.
Health inequalities are demonstrated by the findings of the 2012 health screens conducted
with the Flemington African Australian community. 71.8 per cent of respondents were
overweight or obese, higher than national levels. In addition, 13.8 per cent of respondents
were measured to have probable Type 2 diabetes, almost four times the national average.2
Health screens also found that healthy sleep habits were of concern with one in ten individuals
sleeping less than five hours per night.
Moonee Ponds
Overall, 19.1 per cent of the population was aged between 0 and 17, and 18.6 per cent were
aged 60 years and over. Of the Moonee Ponds population, approximately one-quarter (24.3%)
are parents or homebuilders. Households with children account for 37.2 per cent of
households and 17 per cent of households have young children.
Travancore
Overall, 34.1 per cent of the population are part of the young workforce and 21.3 per cent fall
within the ‘tertiary education and independence’ category. 17.9 per cent of households have
families, 8 per cent with young children.
1
Moonee Valley Profile .id, (2013). Accessed November 2013 http://profile.id.com.au/moonee-valley/home
2
Stanley, D, Howard, M, & Wilkinson, V, (2013). Flemington African Australian Community Health Screening Project, unplublished.
East West Link: the health effects of proximity to major roads
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Literature review
Negative health outcomes associated with major roads are well established.3 It is important to
consider the available literature regarding health impacts of major roads, given sections of the
East West Link in Moonee Valley will be above ground. Many studies consider the health
effects of new roads above and beyond road traffic incidents4 and numerous systematic
reviews have found statistically significant associations between residential proximity to traffic
and one of a number of adverse health effects.5
The World Health Organization (WHO)6 investigated health effects of transport-related air
pollution in 2005. When considering the impact of traffic-related pollution in Europe, WHO
estimated that the death rate is on par with that of road toll deaths.7 In a review of the urban
development and transport impacts on public health with particular reference to Australia,8 the
negative health effects of pollutants included:






Exposure to particulate matter has been associated with a short-term increase in
mortality and morbidity from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
Studies have found long-term average mortality rates 17 to 26 per cent higher than
expected in communities with high levels of fine particulate matter.
Diesel exhaust and nitrogen dioxide have been tied to increased asthma symptoms
and response to allergens.
Exposure to diesel exhaust has been associated with increased rates of lung cancer
and mortality and morbidity.
Air toxics can cause negative health effects including cancer and respiratory,
neurological, reproductive, and developmental effects.
Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollutants have shown a variety of health risks,
including:
o significant increase in the risk of death from cardiopulmonary causes
o significant increase in asthma prevalence in children
o impacts on lung development in children
o increased cardiac arrhythmias.9
3 Van Poppel, M., Panis, L.I., Govarts, E.A., Van Houtte J., Maenhaut, W. (2012). A comparative study of traffic related air pollution next to a motorway and a motorway flyover. Atmospheric Environment, 60,
p. 132-141.
4 Egan, M., Petticrew, M., Ogilvie, D. & Hamilton, V. (2003). New Roads and Human Health: A Systematic Review, American Journal of Public Health 93 (9).
5 Boothe, V.L. & Shendell, D.G. (2008). Potential Health Effects Associated with Residential Proximity to Freeways and Primary Roads: Review of Scientific Literature, 1999-2006. Journal of Environmental
Health; 70(8) p. 33
6 WHO, (2005). Health Effects of Transport-Related Air Pollution. http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/74715/E86650.pdf (Online).
7 ibid.
8 Black, D. & Black, J. (2009). A Review of the Urban Development and Transport Impacts on Public Health with Particular Reference to Australia: Trans-Disciplinary Research Teams and Some Research
Gaps, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 6, p. 1557-1596.
9 ibid.
East West Link: the health effects of proximity to major roads
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It has also been demonstrated that exposure to air pollution, particularly common in urban
areas, is an independent risk factor in adverse birth outcomes such as pre-term birth and low
birth weight.10,11 In addition to transport noise having effects on physical health, some research
documents the link between noise and negative emotional states.12
Literature varies when estimating the distance of living proximity associated with health
impacts; this in part is due to the broad range of measures (particular pollutants or
contaminants). Some research suggests that “persons [residing] or spending substantial time
within 200m of highways are exposed to [numerous] pollutants more so than persons living at
a greater distance, even compared to living on busy urban streets”.13 Other research has
found significantly elevated levels of pollutant concentration both indoor and outdoor within 50
meters of major roads due to roadway emissions.14
It is also important to consider whether negative health effects are likely to affect some groups
of people more than others. Research by Black and Black (2009)15 identify groups of people
who are more vulnerable to the negative health outcomes associated with transport impacts.
These groups include the elderly, young children and children with asthma and persons with
diabetes.
Application
Fair Foundations the VicHealth framework for health equity describes the social determinants
of health inequities. The framework considers social position within three layers of influence:
socioeconomic, political and cultural context, daily living conditions and individual healthrelated factors and how this leads to differences in health and wellbeing outcomes.
Exposure to increased road traffic, noise and air pollution is likely to have an impact on daily
living conditions for Moonee Valley residents, particularly those residing in Flemington,
Moonee Ponds and Travancore. The reviewed literature indicates that the health impacts of
the East West Link will are likely to be negative and broad. There is also evidence to suggest
that health inequities will be heightened and that particular populations are at a higher risk of
negative health outcomes due to their age and existing economic and health vulnerabilities.
10 Yorifuji, T., Naruse H., Kashima, S., Takao, S., Murakoshi., T., Doi, H. Kawachi, I., Yorifuji et al. (2013). Residential proximity to major roads and adverse
birth outcomes: a hospital-based study, Environmental Health (12)34, http://www.ehjournal.net/content/12/1/34
11 Barnett, A.G. Plonka, K., Seow, W.K., Wilson, L., & Hansen, C. (2011). Increased traffic exposure and negative birth outcomes: a prospective cohort in Australia
Environmental Health (10)26 http://www.ehjournal.net/content/10/1/26
12 Black, D. & Black, J. (2009). A Review of the Urban Development and Transport Impacts on Public Health with Particular Reference to Australia: Trans-Disciplinary Research Teams and Some Research
Gaps, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 6, p. 1557-1596.
13 Brugge, D. Durant, J.L. & Rioux, C. (2007). Near-highway pollutants in motor vehicle exhaust: A review of epidemiologic evidence of cardiac and pulmonary health risks, Environmental Health (6)23.
http://www.ehjournal.net/content/6/1/23
14 Lawson, S.J., Galbally, I.E.,. Powell, J.C., Keywood, M.D., Molloy, S.B., Cheng, M. & Selleck, P.W. (2011).The effect of proximity to major roads on indoor air quality in typical Australian dwellings,
Atmospheric Environment, 45.
15 Black, D. & Black, J. (2009). A Review of the Urban Development and Transport Impacts on Public Health with Particular Reference to Australia: Trans-Disciplinary Research Teams and Some Research
Gaps, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 6, p. 1557-1596.
East West Link: the health effects of proximity to major roads
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References
Barnett, A.G. Plonka, K., Seow, W.K., Wilson, L., & Hansen, C. (2011). Increased traffic
exposure and negative birth outcomes: a prospective cohort in Australia
Environmental Health (10)26 http://www.ehjournal.net/content/10/1/26
Black, D. & Black, J. (2009). A Review of the Urban Development and Transport Impacts
on Public Health with Particular Reference to Australia: Trans-Disciplinary Research
Teams and Some Research Gaps, International Journal of Environmental Research
and Public Health, 6, p. 1557-1596.
Black, D. & Black, J. (2009). A Review of the Urban Development and Transport Impacts
on Public Health with Particular Reference to Australia: Trans-Disciplinary Research
Teams and Some Research Gaps, International Journal of Environmental Research
and Public Health, 6, p. 1557-1596.
Boothe, V.L. & Shendell, D.G. (2008). Potential Health Effects Associated with Residential
Proximity to Freeways and Primary Roads: Review of Scientific Literature, 19992006. Journal of Environmental Health; 70(8) p. 33
Brugge, D. Durant, J.L. & Rioux, C. (2007). Near-highway pollutants in motor vehicle
exhaust: A review of epidemiologic evidence of cardiac and pulmonary health risks,
Environmental Health (6)23. http://www.ehjournal.net/content/6/1/23.
Egan, M., Petticrew, M., Ogilvie, D. & Hamilton, V. (2003). New Roads and Human Health:
A Systematic Review, American Journal of Public Health 93 (9).
Lawson, S.J., Galbally, I.E.,. Powell, J.C., Keywood, M.D., Molloy, S.B., Cheng, M. &
Selleck, P.W. (2011).The effect of proximity to major roads on indoor air quality in
typical Australian dwellings, Atmospheric Environment, 45.
Moonee Valley Profile .id, (2013). Accessed November 2013
http://profile.id.com.au/moonee-valley/home.
Stanley, D, Howard, M, & Wilkinson, V, (2013). Flemington African Australian Community
Health Screening Project, unplublished.
Van Poppel, M., Panis, L.I., Govarts, E.A., Van Houtte J., Maenhaut, W. (2012). A
comparative study of traffic related air pollution next to a motorway and a motorway
flyover. Atmospheric Environment, 60, p. 132-141.
WHO, (2005). Health Effects of Transport-Related Air Pollution.
http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/74715/E86650.pdf (Online).
East West Link: the health effects of proximity to major roads
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Yorifuji, T., Naruse H., Kashima, S., Takao, S., Murakoshi., T., Doi, H. & Kawachi, I.
(2013). Residential proximity to major roads and adverse birth outcomes: a hospitalbased study, Environmental Health (12)34, http://www.ehjournal.net/content/12/1/34
East West Link: the health effects of proximity to major roads
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