Barry Watson
THE North East Link Project (NELP) Environmental Effects Statement (EES) shows that many air pollution breaches of PM2.5 µg/m3 fine particle pollution limits would occur with the construction of NE Link.
Other pollutants harmful to health are expected to rise with the massive increases in traffic on the Eastern Freeway. These include nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone and benzenes.
Area close to schools and playing fields set to become an air pollution ‘hot spot’
Physical activity such as sport increases the potential exposure to these pollutants and children are more vulnerable to negative health effects including asthma, heart attacks, cardiovascular disease, lung disease, stroke and cancer.
The NELP EES modelled air pollution location close to three college sporting fields, Veneto Soccer, Bulleen Sports Oval, Belle Vue Primary School and Freeway Golf Course. This showed that PM2.5 fine particle pollution generated by motor vehicles will breach the EES 24 hour limits near these schools and sporting precincts. These breaches are expected to occur frequently.
The Environment Protection Authority has confirmed that it has ‘No Statutory Powers’ to enforce air pollution regulatory compliance or intervention action for NE Link.
Go here www.eastsidernews.org.au/wp-content/ uploads/2024/02/NELP-EPA-Fact-Sheet.pdf to find references that support claims made in this article, including those regarding cognitive decline in children.
From The Eastsider, July 2024.
September 2, 2024.