M5 East Tunnel Emissions
I have been concerned for the long running refusal of the State Government to safeguard the health of citizens living near the emission stacks of the M5 East Tunnel, and the unwillingness of the then minister for roads, Carl Scully to guarantee proper health investigations, and an assurance to Lane Cove residents, that they will have proper filtration in the Lane Cove tunnel.
Recently there was a four-week study carried out by NSW Health into the health symptoms of citizens living near the exit stack of the M5 East tunnel. This report did not seem to agree with the comments of local citizens who have been suffering adverse health symptoms.
The Government seemed to go silent on this report. I read it and asked in parliament this question:
“I direct my question to the Special Minister of State representing the Minister for Health. Is the Minister aware of a recent four-week study carried out by NSW Health into the potential health risks of the M5 East stack that claims to show no evidence of an association between the prevalence of eye, nose and throat symptoms and modelled emissions from the stack?Will the Minister please explain why there has been an increase in the incidence of itchy eyes, runny noses, coughs and asthma among residents living near the M5 East stack since the opening of the M5 East tunnel?
Is the Minister aware of complaints that the study is seriously flawed in its methodology due to the use of annual averages of pollution to predict what residents were exposed to during the four-week study?
What assurance does the Minister give that NSW Health will continue epidemiological studies into the health effects on the community surrounding the M5 East stack?”
The Hon. JOHN DELLA BOSCA replied:
“I thank the member for his detailed question. I will pass it to the Minister for Health and get an answer as soon as possible.”
The minister has 30 days to reply to me but I fear another cover up to protect the earlier decisions of Carl Scully to equip the tunnel with advanced filtration. I will keep you posted.
This is GORDON MOYES.
