MCU15/0095 & REC15/0022 PM Submission Object - Nadine Love

Emissions from petrol stations are widely acknowledged to contain compounds harmful to
health, including, toluene, xylenes; and benzene which is a known health risk and carcinogen.
Exposure to emissions from petrol stations has been shown to be associated with increased
risks of childhood leukaemia, independent of other risk factors.6

A Spanish study published in the US Journal of Environmental Management in December 2010'
shows that emissions from evaporated petrol or fuel, generally when petrol is being transferred
or has been spilt, contaminates the surrounding area with volatile materials, including the
carcinogen benzene. This means that the atmosphere in the immediate vicinity of service
stations can be contaminated up to 50 metres away. The study recommends that a minimum
distance of 50 metres should be maintained between petrol stations and housing, and 100
metres for "especially vulnerable" facilities such as hospitals, health centres, schools and old
people's homes.

 In 2014, Dr Ian Francis Musgrave, Lecturer in Pharmacology, University of Adelaide, referred
to the Spanish Study stating that the radius of significant levels of hydrocarbons of concern was
of the order of approximately 75m from the station. For example the levels of benzene at 75
meters were 4 ~g/m3, which is 25% of the EPA yearly exposure limit of 16 ~g/m3.

Professor Lidia Morawska at OUT has been conducting studies in Brisbane into the health
effects of exposure of children to airborne nano and ultrafine particles (UFP) emitted from motor
vehicles. Owing to their small size, UFPs are able to penetrate deep into the lungs, where they
may cause adverse respiratory, pulmonary and cardiovascular health effects. Her studies show
that the impact is significant and visible. In addition to the emissions from vehicles in the service
station, the proposed Development will generate more traffic in and around the School. These
emission sources are in such close proximity to the school that they pose and unacceptable
increased health risk to this vulnerable population group of school students.

The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (WAEPA) in its policy document,
Guideline for the Assessment of Environmental Factors, recommended separation distances for
Industrial Residual Air Emissions of 200 meters between a service station operating 24 hours a
day and a school. "Separation distance" is defined to be the shortest distance between the
boundary of the service station and the School.

The subject Property directly adjoins the School's 14m toddler outdoor pool and the 25m
outdoor pool used by all age groups. The fuel bowsers on the proposed development are
dangerously close to the Pool facilities being no more than an estimated 30 meters from the
outdoor toddler pool. The pool facilities, apart from constant school use, are utilised all year
round by the School's associated Swim School and are open for training and lor use from
5.30am to 7.30pm and used by babies from eight weeks old.




6 see e.g. C Steffenet al 2004- "Acute childhood leukaemia and environmental exposure to potential
  sources of benzene and other hydrocarbons; a case-eontrol study" and manyother similarstudies
  showingadverseeffectsparticularlyon younggrowingbodies.
'Terres et al


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