Monitoring the air in Traralgon

Monitoring dates: February 2007 – January 2008.

Air toxics monitored: Benzene, benzo(a)pyrene, formaldehyde, toluene and xylene.

Sampling frequency: 24 hour samples once every six days.

Number of samples analysed:
Benzene, toluene and xylene: 60
Benzo(a)pyrene: 60
formaldehyde: 54

Location: EPA Traralgon Air Monitoring Station, Kay Street Traralgon.

Results

Benzo(a)pyrene, benzene, formaldehyde, toluene and xylene were monitored in a residential area in Traralgon. The primary focus of this study was to monitor air toxics levels in a large regional centre, located near the major power generators.

The average concentration of benzo(a)pyrene remained below the health based monitoring investigation level, with most samples recording levels below the chemical analysis detection limit. Detectable levels of benzo(a)pyrene were measured on a number of days during colder weather. This was expected because:

• of an increased use of wood heaters during winter;
• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from combustion sources form more readily when the ambient temperature is low;
• there is generally less dispersion of pollutants in winter due to lower winds.

Levels of benzene, formaldehyde, toluene and xylene were low and below monitoring investigation levels.

24 hour results

Not applicable: A 24-hour investigation level is not specified for benzene and benzo(a)pyrene.

Not detected: Air toxic was below measurable levels.

Not sampled: No result is available due to sampling failure or error.

ppb: parts per billion (for every one billion litres of air there is one litre of the pollutant).

ng/m³: nanograms per cubic metre (1 billionth of a gram per cubic metre).

Detection limits are as follows:

ppb: parts per billion (for every one billion litres of air there is one litre of the pollutant).

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