Children's Health and Air Pollution Study 

The Australian Child Health and Air Pollution Study (ACHAPS) is investigating the relationship between air quality and respiratory health by testing over 3,000 students from 60 primary schools across Australia. The study is being undertaken to inform the review of Australia's national air quality standards which is currently underway. It is being conducted by the University of Queensland in collaboration with the Woolcock Institute in Sydney.

Testing of children's lung function and allergy testing will be conducted on school children aged between 7 and 11 years. Diaries of respiratory sypmtoms will also be collected. Parents of participating children will receive advice on the tests the same day as they are conducted.

In Victoria, the study commenced on 21 May 2007 and testing at all locations will be completed by the end of June. The study will be conducted in primary schools in Alphington, Brigton, Box Hill, Footscray, Geelong South, Mooroolbark, Richmond and Traralgon. These locations have been chosen to obtain results for a range of air quality and because the schools are near to an air monitoring station, not because any specific problems have been identified in these areas.

EPA Victoria is represented on the project management team, EPA community relations staff will assist with fieldwork and EPA will also supply air quality data.

Results from the study should be published in about 18 months time.

You can learn more about the study by visiting http://www.woolcock.org.au/achaps.htm or telephoning 1300 889 618.

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