QUALITY AIR TASMANIA UPDATE JUNE 2009
The autumn burn season is over with 273-537 forestry burns on different
days in April/May causing mass pollution statewide and health concerns
for many. The www.tapvision.info and www.tasmaniantimes.com.au website
appear to be the preferred Smokewatch sites, so keep posting smoke
events online. Forestry burning is continuing this winter despite
inversion layers affecting Launceston most in winter. There were 52-71
burns in June; most in the NE. See wwww.cleanairtas for extract from
Draft Tasmanian Smoke Diary Autumn 2009. National annual average PM
10(particulate size) should be 8 but is currently 11 in Launceston. Dr
Markos, lung specialist is also concerned about Launceston’s higher
than national average of PM 2.5 and last year’s equivalent of 17 PM
2.5 breaches. Exceedences continue in Launceston in May, June and July
2009. More up to date monitoring results for PM 10 and the more
damaging PM 2.5 under the expanded Blanket monitoring system will soon
be available on the Tas. Environment website.
www.environment.gov.tas.au Also see attached graph of Correlation
Between Launceston PM 2.5 Exceedences & Patersonia Pollution (mostly
from NE forestry) 2007-2008 illustrating that pollution in Launceston
is coming from rural areas as forestry activity in the NE is on the
rise. There also appears to be an increase in smoke haze statewide in
recent years, particularly in the north.
See information below for news, detail on spray air pollution, smoke
health effects and information/misinformation.
1. CONCERNED DOCTORS’ RESEARCH GROUP is collecting data on smoke health
effects, however minor or major via QAT. Please support this by sending
written Smoke Health Effects(anonymous is still useful) to
anji@bordernet.com.au Doctors are also calling for fines for heavy
polluters(eg forestry burn offs) and further reductions in wood
heaters.
2. POLLUTION INFORMATION TASMANIA is supporting QAT in its quest to
improve air quality. See www.sourcewatch.org
3. ACTING HEALTH DIRECTOR REFUSES TO USE POWERS AVAILABLE TO BAN
POLLUTING WINTER BURNS because these powers ‘were not used to prohibit
domestic heating with wood fires.’ (Chrissie Pickin) She cites
regulatory difficulties in protecting ‘individuals who have particular
sensitivities.’ This is despite the fact that the elevated smoke
pollution levels in Launceston particularly, are more unhealthy than
previously thought, with implications for premature death, heart and
cancer problems, estimated at killing between 8-15 people in Launceston
a year. (Dr Markos and Dr Ernst, Lung specialist and Pollution Control
specialist)
4. AERIAL SPRAY POLLUTION
Developmental endocrinologist Tyrone Hayes, with the University of
California at Berkeley, has conducted laboratory experiments that show
atrazine promotes the growth of breast cancer cells by altering the
production of the hormone oestrogen. It also promotes prostate cancer
and infertility in animals and people.
Atrazine and a related compound called simazine are used to prevent
weed growth in tree plantations and in most agricultural food
productions in Australia, these "triazines" disrupt human hormones.
Tasmanian Director of Public health, Roscoe Taylor, has called for an
end to all aerial spraying. Dr Bleaney of St Helen’s leads concern in
Tasmania over aerial sprays and health.
(http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,2531443223289,00.html)
MORE NEWS:
5.
“Forestry burning continues according to metereological predictions in winter.”
(FPA, EPA) In July, when smoke was predicted to blow towards Launceston and air
quality predicted to be poor, forestry burns were conducted in the NE contributing to
exceedences. Tas Env. Dep’t Air specialist John Innis says that cold still weather
causes high pollution levels(inversion layers)to stay in valleys with
little dispersion(ie as in Launceston and Patersonia)
FPA does not uphold its self collated forest industry burn standard
2009(FIS4PSBP 2009):
o PSB Practice 2009 requires that meteorological predictions for smoke dispersal be
applied to avoid major populations. It is not unusual for burning bids to be
accepted when wind is blowing towards Launceston. See mass NE pollution on
12 May 2009 attachment.
o
PSB Practice 2009 requires that fuel be 50 % dry. Anonymous of
Wyena said forestry burnt the fuel the week after chopping trees
down(May 2009) This timber is still green.
EPA enforces neither the FPA guidelines nor the EMPCA and
misrepresents concerns:
o
o
Despite up to Tasmania wide, regular, elevated levels of
pollution,(above national annual average monthly PM 10 levels in
Launceston, Patersonia Smoke Diary pollution 2008, and smoke
events 2009), the EPA has not prosecuted offenders.
The EPA passed the Patersonia pollution issue onto Air Specialist
in Environment Department for investigation without the Diary or
presentation text, so it was evaluated under a false premise. A
second evaluation is now required after 8 months.
Forestry burns can also be listed under the Parks website below
www.parks.tas.gov.au
www.fire.tas.gov.au
www.plannedburnstas.com.au
6. SMOKE HEALTH EFFECTS
o
Particle pollution, if inhaled, can increase the risk or early death, heart attacks,
strokes and emergency room visits for asthma and cardiovascular disease. Most
vulnerable are children, the elderly, people with lung diseases like asthma, diabetics or
otherwise healthy adults who exercise or work outdoors. www.lungusa.org
American Lung Association
o
Air pollution – Recent studies show that air pollution is harmful to the brain, in addition
to the lungs, heart, nose and blood vessels. This evidence is drawn from studies of brains
of people living in highly polluted cities compared with those living in clean air cities.
o
These studies found evidence starting at young ages of inflammation and cellular
damage associated with both early Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
info@sehn.org
Review found that the risk of having a condition that is a precursor to deadly heart
attacks for people living in soot-laden areas goes up by 24 percent rather than 12
percent, as particle concentrations increase.- Health Effects Institute US
www.environmentalhealthnews.org
o Analysis showed an increased risk of mortality for all and specific causes
associated with PM2.5, and the risks are higher than what was previously observed
for PM10. In addition, coarse particles are also associated with more deaths.
Environmental Health Perspectives Volume 117, Number 6, June 2009
o Pollution can change your DNA in 3 days, study suggests. Breathing in polluted air
may wreak havoc on our DNA, reprogramming genes in as few as three days and
causing increased rates of cancer and other diseases. National Geographic News
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/05/090517-pollution-changes-dna.html
o
Exposure to combustion by-products linked to male infertility.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/exposureto-pahs-may-affect-male-fertility/
o
o
Young Women Report Abdominal Pain on Smoggy Days
New Canadian Research Draws Possible Link Between Pollution and Pain
Dr. Gilaad Kaplan of the University of Calgary.
Any reduction in air pollution = better respiratory health of
Swiss Children. A decline of 10 ug/m3 in annual PM10 exposure
reduced chronic coughs by 35%, bronchitis by 34%, common cold by
22%, nocturnal dry cough by 30% and conjunctivitis symptoms by
19%. (AMA link to abstract)
o
Lewis et al suggests some positive associations between PM 10 and
both night cough and chest colds worsening See Lewis attachment
for graph (Australian Health website)
o
Air pollution shortens life more than exercise extends it (Nov 05
issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, Franco et al)
o
Our study provides the first epidemiological data supporting the adverse
neurobehavioral(CNS) effects of ambient air pollutants in adults. Jiu-Chiuan
Chen, Joel Schwartz
NeuroToxicology
o
Air has elevated cancer risk in 600 neighborhood
By DINA CAPPIELLO,
Associated Press Writer Dina Cappiello, Associated Press Writer – Wed Jun 24,
12:01 am ET EPA National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment (NATA):
http://www.epa.gov/nata2002
o In mice, short-term exposure to fine air particles reduces responsiveness of
specialized neurons that regulate cardiac rhythm. Scientists believe that this
reduced activity may be responsible for the cardiovascular disease associated
with air pollution. Fine particulate matter known as PM2.5 is a mixture of
particles that are smaller than 2.5 micrometers (about one third of the diameter of
a human hair). PM2.5 is a product of combustion and is released into the
environment by forest fires and by gasses emitted by power plants, factories and
automobiles. More...
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/particulates-alter-neurons-that-regulate-mice-heart-rate/
o Parent stress, air pollution up kids' asthma risk. Children with stressed-out parents
may be more prone to developing asthma associated with environmental
"triggers" such as high levels of traffic-related pollution and tobacco smoke, hints
a study published today. Reuters Health
http://in.reuters.com/article/health/idINTRE56K4MO20090721
o
Industrial Air Pollution Worse Than Vehicle Exhaust For Breathing Problems
In Children ScienceDaily (July 23, 2009)
o
Air pollution linked to asthma onset
http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/health/healthup/April09.pdf
7. INFORMATION/MISINFORMATION
Forestry regeneration burns are a myth
Forestry claims the need for regeneration burns where seeds are thrown
from a plane onto an ash bed from a burn off. Why then are all
plantations in neat rows and planted out with webbing wrapped saplings?
Fuel reduction incomplete without addressing eucalypt forests fire
threat.
Prof Bowman believes in removing fuel build up that can lead to mega
fires. However, Chief Tas fire officer Gledhill says strategic burn
offs “have an effect but it is not complete. Far from it. It is unsafe
to live amongst eucalypt forests."
Farmland & native conversion to eucalypt plantation (MIS & forestry)
have come to dominate the landscape in Patersonia and the Tasman
Highway in the last few years and is encroaching upon more farmland and
the Tamar Valley and beyond. Forestry burning is out of line with
health, the environment and global warming.
Does forestry have to open burn logging rubbish? No. Clean
technologies(air curtains) are used in the US and Europe selectively
logs. Chipping, pellets and biochar are also possible.
Forest practices ecologically sustainable?
Forestry claims sustainable practices. Why then in summer are there
approx. 40 grasshoppers per square foot in a eucalypt plantation when
metres away in native bush land there are none?
What ecological burning was done in the past and is today?
In the Kent Island group,Tasmania, Aboriginal burning sufficient for
fire dependent vegetation was limited to lightning strike.
The current Kent Group(Tas islands) Management plan allows lightning
based ecological frequency burns with limited management burning
-Kent Group Nat. Park(terrestrial Portion) M'ment Plan 2005-2015
Quality Air Tasmania