The analysis for identification and prioritisation of Stage 1 and Stage 2 sites, as required by the NEPM, was limited to the populous areas of South East Queensland. Two types of locations were identified as having the most potential for significant population exposure to air toxics—built-up residential areas close to heavily trafficked roads with significant congestion problems (e.g. Woolloongabba); and built up residential areas close to major petrochemical industries (e.g. Wynnum).
Table 1: Stage 2 Sites and Proposed Monitoring Program
Location of Stage 2 Sites
Air toxics with possible elevated levels
Air toxics to be monitored
Proposed timeframe for monitoring
Estimate of size of population likely to be exposed and identification of susceptible groups
Monitoring of air toxics at Stage 2 sites in South East Queensland during the 2014–15 reporting period was limited to measurement of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (including benzo[a]pyrene) at the Woolloongabba roadside monitoring site. Levels of benzene, toluene, xylenes and formaldehyde were monitored using an alternative differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) technique at ambient air quality monitoring network sites at Springwood in South East Queensland and in central Gladstone. The primary air toxics emission source at the Woolloongabba and Springwood sites was motor vehicles. The Gladstone region contains a number of industrial facilities, including metals processing and power generation, and a major port. Results from these three monitoring sites for the 2014 year are provided below. Data collected (Tables 2 to 6) indicate that air toxics levels in Woolloongabba, Springwood and Gladstone are well below the NEPM investigation levels.
Table 2: Monitoring Results for Benzene
