Create awareness of Bunbury's air quality issues and promote ways to improve it.
- Key issue
With the prevalence of wood heaters in Bunbury, we have very disturbing readings of fine airborne particulate matter. On any still night, readings are constantly exceeding acceptable levels. The level of exposure to these dangerous emissions is generally not realised or its' effects understood. Simple activities such as walking the family dog or participating in an outdoor sporting activity on a winter evening can cause high levels of exposure. Exposure can also occur inside the home due to seepage from high background levels. Many studies into the negative health effects of exposure to fine Particulate Matter have been undertaken and confirm that this is a cause of many severe health issues.
Public data
An Air Quality sensor with Public Access has been installed in the South Bunbury area. You can access the data being gathered by this and any other sensors that are located worldwide via the PurpleAir website http://www2.purpleair.com, choosing the Map Menu option and then selecting the Real Time Map. You can then navigate and zoom into our local region. Selecting a particular sensor will give current recent readings and a graph of the readings over the recent period. The scale of Air Quality used varies in different countries. The user can choose the scale for the data displayed. In WA official Air Quality Measurement Sites use the Australian AQI (Air Quality Index at the one hour average). The Purple Air sensors specifically measure PM2.5 (2.5 microns), the particle of concern to human health. The sensors used by this device are considered to be highly accurate.
You can also download the Purple Air app. This will allow you to maintain your Map and measurement settings for easier reference should you wish to view the data more often.
The WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has an official Air Quality measurement station in Bunbury. Unfortunately due to it's location it's readings do not reflect the magnitude of particulate matter levels that are occurring in Bunbury's residential areas. A link to WA's official AQMS data is provided below.
Petition purpose
The purpose of this petition is to create awareness, promote the responsible use of wood heaters and to help people consider their heating options into the future. Hopefully enough public support can be gained by this petition so that when representations are made to the State Government and the Bunbury City Council, that they become actively involved in the monitoring of air quality, as well as developing strategies to get these emissions within acceptable limits.
Further information
Wood heaters are not appropriate for densely populated areas when used by a high proportion of those populations. Clean burn heaters still produce high levels of fine particulate matter. The irresponsible use of wood heaters causes extremely poor air quality issues.
Related information
https://www.der.wa.gov.au/your-environment/air/air...
https://www.der.wa.gov.au/our-work/programs/80-bur...
https://www.heart.org/en/news/2019/12/13/lovely-bu...
https://theconversation-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s...
https://www.epa.sa.gov.au/environmental_info/air_q...
https://www.familiesforcleanair.org/myths/
https://amp-theguardian-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s...
https://amp-smh-com-au.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/amp....
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/...
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-09/woodfire-he...
5 Comments
Hi Susan. I agree totally. Gas and electricity aren't the answer, but we do need to make people aware of Bunbury's air quality. It's pretty much appalling any time the wind isn't blowing this time of year. The trouble with fine particulate matter is that you are unaware of your level of exposure. Once we have a high proportion of electricity from renewable sources, there are some very efficient heating options. A heat pump hydronic system is the pinnacle of the options there. Unfortunately Bunbury has passed saturation with wood heaters. If homes in new subdivisions continue to install wood heaters, we will have severe health implications. This is the message that people need to hear and understand. This is why I have installed the PurpleAir sensor and created this petition. Thanks for your support. Concerned Citizen
I agree, this seems to be a common occurrence with wood fires around this area, although I'm not sure suggested alternatives such as gas or electricity are the answer.
This is a very concerning matter that most people are unaware of. Action needs to be taken to rectify the situation immediately.
I too am concerned about air quality.
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Create awareness of Bunbury's air quality issues and promote ways to improve it.
- Key issue
With the prevalence of wood heaters in Bunbury, we have very disturbing readings of fine airborne particulate matter. On any still night, readings are constantly exceeding acceptable levels. The level of exposure to these dangerous emissions is generally not realised or its' effects understood. Simple activities such as walking the family dog or participating in an outdoor sporting activity on a winter evening can cause high levels of exposure. Exposure can also occur inside the home due to seepage from high background levels. Many studies into the negative health effects of exposure to fine Particulate Matter have been undertaken and confirm that this is a cause of many severe health issues.
Public data
An Air Quality sensor with Public Access has been installed in the South Bunbury area. You can access the data being gathered by this and any other sensors that are located worldwide via the PurpleAir website http://www2.purpleair.com, choosing the Map Menu option and then selecting the Real Time Map. You can then navigate and zoom into our local region. Selecting a particular sensor will give current recent readings and a graph of the readings over the recent period. The scale of Air Quality used varies in different countries. The user can choose the scale for the data displayed. In WA official Air Quality Measurement Sites use the Australian AQI (Air Quality Index at the one hour average). The Purple Air sensors specifically measure PM2.5 (2.5 microns), the particle of concern to human health. The sensors used by this device are considered to be highly accurate.
You can also download the Purple Air app. This will allow you to maintain your Map and measurement settings for easier reference should you wish to view the data more often.
The WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has an official Air Quality measurement station in Bunbury. Unfortunately due to it's location it's readings do not reflect the magnitude of particulate matter levels that are occurring in Bunbury's residential areas. A link to WA's official AQMS data is provided below.
Petition purpose
The purpose of this petition is to create awareness, promote the responsible use of wood heaters and to help people consider their heating options into the future. Hopefully enough public support can be gained by this petition so that when representations are made to the State Government and the Bunbury City Council, that they become actively involved in the monitoring of air quality, as well as developing strategies to get these emissions within acceptable limits.
Further information
Wood heaters are not appropriate for densely populated areas when used by a high proportion of those populations. Clean burn heaters still produce high levels of fine particulate matter. The irresponsible use of wood heaters causes extremely poor air quality issues.
Related information
https://www.der.wa.gov.au/your-environment/air/air...
https://www.der.wa.gov.au/our-work/programs/80-bur...
https://www.heart.org/en/news/2019/12/13/lovely-bu...
https://theconversation-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s...
https://www.epa.sa.gov.au/environmental_info/air_q...
https://www.familiesforcleanair.org/myths/
https://amp-theguardian-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s...
https://amp-smh-com-au.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/amp....
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/...
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-09/woodfire-he...
5 Comments
Hi Michelle. Yes our air quality is a real issue. Most people associate poor air quality with third world countries. Sadly we are ignorant to disturbing air quality issues that are occurring now in our residential areas. Concerned Citizen
Hi Susan. I agree totally. Gas and electricity aren't the answer, but we do need to make people aware of Bunbury's air quality. It's pretty much appalling any time the wind isn't blowing this time of year. The trouble with fine particulate matter is that you are unaware of your level of exposure. Once we have a high proportion of electricity from renewable sources, there are some very efficient heating options. A heat pump hydronic system is the pinnacle of the options there. Unfortunately Bunbury has passed saturation with wood heaters. If homes in new subdivisions continue to install wood heaters, we will have severe health implications. This is the message that people need to hear and understand. This is why I have installed the PurpleAir sensor and created this petition. Thanks for your support. Concerned Citizen
I agree, this seems to be a common occurrence with wood fires around this area, although I'm not sure suggested alternatives such as gas or electricity are the answer.
This is a very concerning matter that most people are unaware of. Action needs to be taken to rectify the situation immediately.
I too am concerned about air quality.
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Hi Michelle. Yes our air quality is a real issue. Most people associate poor air quality with third world countries. Sadly we are ignorant to disturbing air quality issues that are occurring now in our residential areas. Concerned Citizen