M5 East Exhaust Stack Health Impacts
Reverend the Hon. Dr GORDON MOYES: I ask the Special Minister of State, representing the Minister for Health, a question without notice similar to the question I asked on 13 May. Is the Minister aware that M5 East community groups had requested pre-tunnel operation health assessments and that NSW Health refused? Does the Minister know that a New South Wales health briefing stated it was not possible to determine if pollution-induced symptoms in an M5 East area had increased because no information was collected on their prevalence prior to the commencement of stack emissions? Given these considerations, would it not make sense for NSW Health to conduct a health study into the impacts of the cross-city tunnel and the Lane Cove tunnel in a timely and efficient manner and using credible and industry improved methodologies before those tunnels are in operation?
The Hon. JOHN DELLA BOSCA: I note the marginality of the way the question was expressed and—
The Hon. Jennifer Gardiner: Just like the electorate in which they are located.
The Hon. JOHN DELLA BOSCA: I thank the Hon. Jennifer Gardiner for her completely irrelevant interjection. The honourable member has asked a detailed question. Even though he has addressed this question to me representing the Minister for Health in the other place, I am not sure that it is something that can be answered properly by the Minister for Health. I will consult both my colleagues the Minister for Health and the Minister for Roads in the other place and ask whichever one is appropriate to provide an answer to the honourable member as soon as possible.
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The Hon. MORRIS IEMMA: The Department of Health advises that the pollutant impacts of M5 East tunnel exhaust stack emissions were modelled during the assessment of the M5 East Motorway. Modelling was undertaken by consultants to the Roads and Traffic Authority and the Department of Planning. Results from the modelling predicted that the level of pollutants, such as fine particles and nitrogen dioxide, would be less than national and World Health Organisation guidelines.
Based on the prediction that emission levels would be below those known to have significant impacts, prospective health monitoring was considered to be unwarranted. Subsequent monitoring of pollutant levels has not been able to detect any changes due to the stack emissions.
Fine particle pollution and resultant effects on asthma or other respiratory diseases were the major focus of community concern prior opening of the M5 tunnel. In hindsight, conducting a study on asthma and other respiratory diseases would not have included the health effects related to community complaints that arose subsequent to the M5 opening – that is eye, nose and throat irritation.
With regard to other road tunnels, currently under construction, modelled predictions of stack emissions are also below national and World Health Organisation guidelines. Monitoring of pollutant impacts is required in the Minister for Planning’s consent conditions for both the Cross City and the Lance Cove tunnels.
In case of the Cross City Tunnel an epidemiological study is not warranted as expected emission impacts are very small and any potential health effects would be very difficult to detect.
In relation to the Lane Cove Tunnel, expected pollutant impacts from the stacks are again very small. However, the population impacted may be of a size where a prospective evaluation could be undertaken. The Department of Health will decide whether to undertake a health study following consultation with the community and other agencies.
