Aug 2 2005
The West Australian Department of Health will conduct a study to look at whether dust in the town of Port Hedland has the potential to cause health problems.
The study was prompted by the recent Enquiry by Design conducted by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure and the Department of Environment’s Pilbara Air Quality Study, which recommended the Department of Health investigate dust levels prevalent in the town.
Department of Health Principal Medical Consultant, Dr Paul Van Buynder said the study, which had the support of the Pilbara Interagency Group, would enable a complete health risk assessment of the dust in Port Hedland.
“A lot of information is available about the possible health effects of high dust levels in major urban areas,” he said.
“However, in larger cities car pollution and other combustion products significantly contribute to this and very little is know about the impact of dust levels in rural or port areas”.
Dr Van Buynder said the Department was aware that the dust in Port Hedland was coarser than that caused by car emissions in large cities, and was therefore safer than fine particles that could affect the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
“Despite understanding that the dust is safer, it is still important to respond to the concerns identified in the Enquiry by Design and to investigate the significance of the current dust levels,” he said.
The three-part study will include a review of international studies into course dust particles and a comparison to potential health effects of the dust in Port Hedland compared to Sydney and another coastal town.
It will also include a 10-year review of health data applicable to residents in the town.
Dr Van Buynder said he hoped study results would be available within six to twelve months.
“Information will be shared with the public, as it becomes available, via a series of newsletters and postings on the Department of Health website,” he said.