MCU15/0095 & REC15/0022 PM Submission Object - Adrian Wilson

precautionary       principle and consider the possible risks to make a decision that is not in any way harmful.
In the absence of scientific consensus that the Development                       is not harmful, the burden of proof that it is
not harmful falls on the Developer and the Property Owner. Neither has satisfied that burden of proof.


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"


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 SO
metres away.           The study recommends              that a minimum       distance of SO 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          7Sm from the station.            For example the levels of benzene at 7S meters were 4 ~g/m3,
which is 2S% of the EPA yearly exposure limit of 16 ~g/m3.


Professor Lidia Morawska              at QUT 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 2Sm 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


                               "Acute childhood leukaemia and environmental exposure to potential sources of
6 see e.g. CSteffen et al 2004 -

    benzene and other hydrocarbons; a case-cantrol study" and many other similar studies showing adverse effects
    particularly on young growing bodies.
7   Tern~set al


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