MCU15/0095 & REC15/0022 PM Submission Object - Petition

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      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 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 ievels 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 Ilg/m3,
      which is 25% of the EPAyearly exposure limit of 16 Ilg/m'.


      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 visibie. 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 pooi
     facilities, apart from constant school use, are utilised all year round by the School's associated Swim
     School and are open for training and /or use from 5.30am to 7.30pm and used by babies from eight
     weeks old.




     • see e.g. CSteffen et al 2004 - "Acute childhood leukaemia and environmental exposure to potential sources of
       benzene and other hydrocarbons; D case-control study" and many other similar studies showing adverse effects
       particularly on young growing bodies.
     7 Terres   et aJ



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