Air Quality and Climate Change is the journal of the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand Incorporated in NSW, Australia
ISSN 1836-5876
Web site: www.casanz.org.au
Air Quality and Climate Change is on-line at http://search.informit.com.au/databases
All technical and scientific articles are externally peer reviewed.
EDITOR
Email: admin@casanz.org.au
EDITORIAL BOARD
A/Prof Howard Bridgman, Kirsten Lawrence, Prof Lidia Morawska, A/Prof Stephen Wilson, Dr Elizabeth Somervell, Prof Peter Nelson, Dr Mark Hibberd
ADMINISTRATION
Vicki Callaway
CASANZ General Manager
PO Box 18, Mooroolbark, Vic, 3138
Tel: +61 (3) 9727 3911
Email: admin@casanz.org.au
ADVERTISING
Amanda Griffiths
CASANZ Administration
PO Box 18, Mooroolbark, Vic, 3138
Tel: +61 (3) 9727 3911
Email: amanda@casanz.org.au
DESIGN AND LAYOUT
Deb Thompson
Morado Print and Design
Tel: +61 (0) 412 080 275
Email: dt.email@yahoo.com.au
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Annual subscription rates (electronic only) for non-members and libraries:
Australia, NZ & Overseas $A220.00*
Single copies (electronic only) Australia, NZ & Overseas $A55.00*
*Includes 10% GST. Enquiries about subscriptions, payment of invoices, and requests for back numbers should be directed to the CASANZ Office.
Quarterly in March, June, September, and December.
The opinions expressed by authors and contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the view of the Society.
All material appearing in Air Quality and Climate Change (or any other Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand Publication) is subject to copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part is not permitted without the written permission of the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand and where appropriate, the authors of the material.
Closing date for finalised editorial material is first day of the month prior to month of issue. Six weeks may be required for refereeing of Technical and Scientific Articles.
CASANZ OFFICE
PO Box 18
Mooroolbark, Vic, 3138
Tel: +61 (3) 9727 3911
Web: www.casanz.org.au
President Francine Manansala
Email: fmanansala@emmconsulting.com.au
Deputy President Jeff Bluett
Email: Jeff.Bluett@pdp.co.nz
Immediate Past President
Jason Choi
Email: jason.choi@epa.vic.gov.au
Secretary
Jenny Simpson
Email: JSimpson@tonkintaylor.co.nz
Treasurer Matthew Reilly
Email: Matthew.Riley@environment.nsw.gov.au
CASANZ General Manager
Vicki Callaway
Tel: +61 (3) 9727 3911
Email: admin@casanz.org.au
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIGs):
Air Policy
Chair: Jack Chiodo
Email: jackchiodo@bigpond.com
Air Quality and Health
Email: admin@casanz.org.au
Australia and New Zealand Aerosol Assembly
Chair: Dr Guy Coulson
Email: Guy.Coulson@niwa.co.nz
Biomass Burning
Chairs: Emily Wilton and John Innis
Email: ewilton@environet.co.nz
John.Innis@epa.tas.gov.au
Emerging Air Quality Professionals
Chair: Sophie Materia
Email: Sophie.Materia@mottmac.com
Indoor Air
Chair: Mikael Boulic
Email: m.boulic@massey.ac.nz
Measurement
Chair: Heath Thatcher
Email: Heath.Thatcher@epa.nsw.gov.au
Modelling
Chair: David Rollings
Email: david.rollings@aecom.com
Odour
Chair: Michael Assal
Email: massal@odourunit.com.au
Transport
Chairs: Sharon Atkins and Emily Kemp
Email: Sharon.Atkins@nzta.govt.nz
Emily.j.Kemp@transport.nsw.gov.au
Climate Change
Chairs: Alida Van Vugt
Email: Alida.VanVugt@pdp.co.nz
Viruses, bacteria, pollutants, moulds, allergens , and odours. While immediate and effective improvement in our indoor air quality is paramount , the hurdles are many. Recently, however, advancements in our understanding of the ‘Open Air Factor’ (OAF) provide a powerful solution.
The human and economic cost of poor indoor air quality is well known to us all. However, incapable of monitoring or enforcing outcomes, we are faced with inaction by authorities to set indoor standards And solutions (such as finer filtration and higher air change rates ) can, potentially drive up running costs and emissions.
Nature, however, provides a powerful solution and while science calls on Governments to further explore the promise and potential of the OAF, Hydroxyl Technologies Limited (HTL) have, for the past 10 years, been doing just that. With investment of $millions, this work fills a gap in our understanding and indoor application of the OAF. Research and development by (HTL) has importantly, identified that it is ‘how’ nature creates this ‘cleaning agent’ , which is the key to its powerful germicidal and air cleaning properties.
Successfully replicating (and patenting) this process, HTL has independently researched and tested all the molecular by-products of this ‘cascading’ reaction and confirmed that none are known to be harmful. The indoor air quality results have been tested and compare with the toughest outdoor air quality standards in the world
The independent biocidal tests conducted by Public Health England provide remarkable results. https://www.airora.com/testing-performance-safety/
Branded Airora, the product range is designed to operate 24/7. It sanitises all the air and surfaces throughout the entire indoor space, regardless of air change.
Airora destroys or neutralises all types of germs, moulds, allergens, odours and most other irritants and harmful pollutants throughout entire indoor spaces. https://www.airora.com/
Armed with air quality sensors and an app , Airora can monitor and report IAQ data in real time IAQ monitoring by classroom, suburb or hospital ward can now be a reality.
Airora is being manufactured and distributed by Halsto Pty Ltd. (An Australian Company). The Airora science team is available for discussion and the product is in manufacture now.
Childcare and schools, homes and workplaces, hospitals, hotels and aged care, Airora has the potential to make a genuine difference to people’s lives , our productivity and our economies.
Contact us at: Info@halsto.com.au
Visit the website: www.halsto.com.au
I’d like to start by thanking our October edition’s guest editor Dr Len Turczynowicz for taking the reins this quarter. Len has been involved in CASANZ for many years and also held a long position at SA Health in a previous life. This edition focuses on health and exposure science which has been at the forefront of many of our minds even more so in the last few years. The science in this area is growing and we are being forced to adapt our practices and environment to look towards more inventive solutions for mitigating our exposure risks. I hope you enjoy this interesting edition in our guest series of the journal this year.
Three quarters of the way into the year and we are already looking towards our end of year events. Make sure you look out for our Society AGM and ‘year in review’ webinar to be held in November as well as some very important update sessions on our long-standing Constitution. We rely on our members to help us make the Society as effective and meaningful as possible so your attendance and participation in these events are critical to our success.
We will provide an update on the new plan at our November event.
We have also just wrapped up our first ‘modern’ corporate plan for 2021-2023 and are onto our next one for the following two years. We are very proud of what we’ve managed to focus on and achieve in the last two years and we look forward to building on that and continuing to grow our training, events program, our reach, engagement opportunities, member support, and finances.
I’d like to say a big thank you to our Emerging Air Quality Professionals and our Mentoring Committee for re-launching our fresh and very professional CASANZ mentoring program. For the first time, our program will include an application to help our mentors and mentees to engage with one another in a constructive and effective way. Being a mentor to an early career professional in our field has the potential to change a life. Equally, taking the step of being a mentee can not only result in learning and development for oneself, but offers a chance to share insights and develop a connection with a mentor. I encourage you all to consider being a part of this chance to make a difference outside of your day-to-day air quality lives. See the CASANZ website for more details.
Professional (CAQP) program is aimed at boosting community and business confidence in air program recognises air quality professionals in line with their professional counterparts from and engineering, and provides a higher level of assurance to the community, employers, clients and professional associates.
Congratulations to our Newest Certified Air Quality Professionals
The Certified Air Quality Professional (CAQP) program is aimed at boosting community and business confidence in air quality professionals. The program recognises air quality professionals in line with their professional counterparts from industries such as environmental and engineering, and provides a higher level of assurance to the community, employers, clients and professional associates.
The Certified Air Quality Professional (CAQP) program is aimed at boosting community and business confidence in air quality professionals. The program recognises air quality professionals in line with their professional counterparts from industries such as environmental and engineering, and provides a higher level of assurance to the community, employers, clients and professional associates.
The Certified Air Quality Professional (CAQP) program is aimed at boosting community and business confidence in air quality professionals. The program recognises air quality professionals in line with their professional counterparts from industries such as environmental and engineering, and provides a higher level of assurance to the community, employers, clients and professional associates.
The Certified Air Quality Professional (CAQP) program is aimed at boosting community and business confidence in air quality professionals. The program recognises air quality professionals in line with their professional counterparts from industries such as environmental and engineering, and provides a higher level of assurance to the community, employers, clients and professional associates.
experienced practitioners who have a minimum of five years relevant work experience and fulfill meet high standards of professional and ethical conduct. The scheme is now driving air with CAQPs being specified to carry out particular work on major tenders and projects, industry is already starting to recognise the importance of this post nominal.
The Certified Air Quality Professional (CAQP) program is aimed at boosting community and business confidence in air quality professionals. The program recognises air quality professionals in line with their professional counterparts from industries such as environmental and engineering, and provides a higher level of assurance to the community, employers, clients and professional associates.
The Certified Air Quality Professional (CAQP) program is aimed at boosting community and business confidence in air quality professionals. The program recognises air quality professionals in line with their professional counterparts from industries such as environmental and engineering, and provides a higher level of assurance to the community, employers, clients and professional associates.
Certification is open to experienced practitioners who have a minimum of five years relevant work experience and fulfill the set criteria. CAQPs must meet high standards of professional and ethical conduct. The scheme is now driving air quality practice to new levels, with CAQPs being specified to carry out particular work on major tenders and projects, demonstrating that industry is already starting to recognise the importance of this post nominal.
Certification is open to experienced practitioners who have a minimum of five years relevant work experience and fulfill the set criteria. CAQPs must meet high standards of professional and ethical conduct. The scheme is now driving air quality practice to new levels, with CAQPs being specified to carry out particular work on major tenders and projects, demonstrating that industry is already starting to recognise the importance of this post nominal.
Certification is open to experienced practitioners who have a minimum of five years relevant work experience and fulfill the set criteria. CAQPs must meet high standards of professional and ethical conduct. The scheme is now driving air quality practice to new levels, with CAQPs being specified to carry out particular work on major tenders and projects, demonstrating that industry is already starting to recognise the importance of this post nominal.
Certification is open to experienced practitioners who have a minimum of five years relevant work experience and fulfill the set criteria. CAQPs must meet high standards of professional and ethical conduct. The scheme is now driving air quality practice to new levels, with CAQPs being specified to carry out particular work on major tenders and projects, demonstrating that industry is already starting to recognise the importance of this post nominal.
Certification is open to experienced practitioners who have a minimum of five years relevant work experience and fulfill the set criteria. CAQPs must meet high standards of professional and ethical conduct. The scheme is now driving air quality practice to new levels, with CAQPs being specified to carry out particular work on major tenders and projects, demonstrating that industry is already starting to recognise the importance of this post nominal.
Certification is open to experienced practitioners who have a minimum of five years relevant work experience and fulfill the set criteria. CAQPs must meet high standards of professional and ethical conduct. The scheme is now driving air quality practice to new levels, with CAQPs being specified to carry out particular work on major tenders and projects, demonstrating that industry is already starting to recognise the importance of this post nominal.
welcome the following member into the ranks of a growing network of Professionals across Australia and New Zealand, and internationally.
CASANZ is excited to welcome the following member into the ranks of a growing network of Certified Air Quality Professionals across Australia and New Zealand, and internationally.
CASANZ is excited to welcome the following member into the ranks of a growing network of Certified Air Quality Professionals across Australia and New Zealand, and internationally.
CASANZ is excited to welcome the following member into the ranks of a growing network of Certified Air Quality Professionals across Australia and New Zealand, and internationally.
CASANZ is excited to welcome the following member into the ranks of a growing network of Certified Air Quality Professionals across Australia and New Zealand, and internationally.
CASANZ is excited to welcome the following member into the ranks of a growing network of Certified Air Quality Professionals across Australia and New Zealand,
South Australia/Northern Territory
CASANZ is excited to welcome the following member into the ranks of a growing network of Certified Air Quality Professionals across Australia and New Zealand, and internationally.
South Australia/Northern Territory
QLD Branch
South Australia/Northern Territory
NSW Branch
South Australia/Northern Territory
Pushan Shah
Michael Burchill
Pushan Shah
Pushan Shah
Pushan Shah
South Australia/Northern Territory
South Australia/Northern Territory
Russ Francis
Pushan Shah
Pushan Shah
Christian Reuten
Become a CAQP today. Visit www.casanz.org.au for more information.
Become a CAQP today. Visit www.casanz.org.au for more information.
Become a CAQP today. Visit www.casanz.org.au for more information.
Become a CAQP today. Visit www.casanz.org.au for more information.
Become a CAQP today. Visit www.casanz.org.au for more information.
Exposure science links human and ecological behaviour to environmental processes and health outcomes such that the information gained enables mitigation or prevention of future adverse exposures (NRC, 2012).
While exposure science has not been a term used in Australia until recently, the activities that comprise this field of scientific endeavour have been pursued for over 30 years. Since the early 1980’s occupational hygiene has underpinned exposure science in the occupational setting and was the first public health area to actively examine atmospheric human exposures through worker monitoring activities. Today, the current regulatory occupational health framework sustains such requirements.
In contrast, the environmental health area of exposure science developed in the mid 1980’s with concerns over air quality, specifically lead and particulates. Concurrent with these concerns, large scale community impacts arising from residential proximity to the world’s largest lead smelter at Port Pirie in South Australia and at other mining facilities such as Broken Hill and Mt Isa saw an increasing media focus on environmental health and atmospheric exposures. These and past and emerging exposure concerns over site contamination, organochlorine termiticides and indoor air pollutants have ensured a need for understanding exposure science.
In Australia the term, ‘exposure scientist’ is a novel one with individuals engaged in exposure science generally being considered as ‘toxicologists’, ‘risk assessors’ or occasionally ‘public health scientists’. Today, exposure science encompasses a diverse range of discipline areas from occupational hygiene, meteorology (air dispersion modelling), public health (domestic and consumer exposures), environmental science (risk assessment) to ergonomics and psychology.
This edition of the CASANZ journal attempts to bring together some perspectives across exposure science and its importance in the assessment of human health risks with a focus on inhalation exposures from both ambient and indoor air environments.
Please see below for an update on Branch activities for the past quarter. Branches are always looking for input and participation by members, so please contact your local Branch President or Committee members to provide input and assistance. Most importantly, please support your local Branch by attending events and networking with fellow members.
In August 2023, the NSW branch hosted a tour of the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) air quality monitoring research site at Lidcombe. The Lidcombe air quality monitoring station is a fantastic research site, featuring instrumentation that continuously measures NEPM air pollutants, black carbon and total carbon, aerosol optical depth, boundary layer height and cloud. It co-locates reference and equivalence monitoring equipment and low-cost sensors, and even features a Sun Photometer, part of NASA’s Aerosol Robotic Network (https://lnkd.in/g6Nz7ufe). Big thank you our hosts and tour guides for the day (Climate and Atmospheric Science Branch of DPE and Lidcombe TAFE).
The next technical meeting hosted by the NSW branch was on 14 September 2023 and featured talks on decarbonisation in the commercial and industrial sectors and atmospheric CO2 removal. The NSW branch is also planning to continue our newly established tradition of hosting an end of year trivia night to coincide with our AGM. This will be held on 30 November 2023 and will be advertised in late October.
Happy World Clean Air Day was held on 7 September. It’s time to come #TogetherForCleanAir (unep.org)
Ronan Kellaghan, Branch President ronan.kellaghan@bigpond.com
https://www.casanz.org.au/index.cfm//about/branches/nswact/
Nothing to report.
Rob Van de Munckhof, Branch President RVandeMunckhof@tonkintaylor.co.nz
https://www.casanz.org.au/about/branches/nz/
Nothing to report.
Dave Claughton, Branch President Dave.Claughton@wsp.com
https://www.casanz.org.au/about/branches/qld/
CASANZ SA/NT branch is managed by a committee (Pushan Shah, Greg Simes, Johan Meline, Kirsty Tanner, Matt Pickett and Kellie Taylor) and most events are hosted online by the branch. The last online event was the branch AGM for 2022 which was hosted online in November 2022. The committee mostly interacts via emails and occasional face to face meetings. The next face to face meeting is being planned for October 2023 and the AGM for 2023 will be hosted in November 2023. The branch will continue its tradition (established since COVID) to host its AGM online to attract wider audience, which will include a technical event with presentations from speakers and topics that are relevant for everyone. Details of both events will be announced soon on CASANZ website.
Pushan Shah, Branch President Pushan.Shah@sa.gov.au https://www.casanz.org.au/index.cfm//about/branches/sant/
The VIC/TAS branch committee is seeking further members (Including EAQPs), so please reach out to the Branch Secretary Sophie.Materia@mottmac.com if you are at all interested. Short thirty-minute committee meetings (teleconferences) are held fortnightly for the Branch with the focus to reinvigorate Branch activities and enhance Branch member interactions.
Upcoming events:
•VIC/TAS Branch and Odour Special Interest Group| Victoria EPA Guidance for Assessing Odour Review Workshop –Wednesday 25 October, 2023 @ 10.00am AEDT at the EPA Cenre for Applied Sciences, Ernst Jones Drive, Macleod, Victoria. Click here https://www.casanz.org.au/ eventdetails/19861/victas-branch-and-odour-special-interestgroup) for more information. The workshop will be independently facilitated with the outputs to be put into a new revised version of the publication with an estimated publication date of June 2024.
•VIC/TAS Branch | Face to face AGM – November 29th 2023 @ 5.30pm AEDT. The VIC/TAS Branch committee is holding the Annual General Meeting and Werner Strauss Awards Night, followed by a technical presentation. The event will be held virtually and in person at the Mott MacDonald Offices at 727 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3008. Refreshments will be provided for those attending in person.
If you have any event ideas, the VIC/TAS branch is looking for EVENTS and wants your input. What events would you like to see run, what industries or disciplines (within the realms of air quality/ greenhouse gas/sustainability) should we spend more time on? Please reach out to the Branch Secretary Sophie Materia Sophie.Materia@mottmac.com
For further information on the VIC/TAS Branch please click here (https://www.casanz.org.au/about/branches/victas/)
Craig McVie, Branch President Craig.McVie@ghd.com https://www.casanz.org.au/index.cfm//about/branches/victas/
The WA Branch was pleased to host a graduate presentation in August 2023, with Madeleine Behn presenting a summary of her honours ‘Estimating daily concentrations of PM2.5 in Western Australia from satellite-derived aerosol optical depth and meteorological variables using a random forest model.’ Madeleine discussed how estimates of PM2.5 can be obtained in the absence of measured concentrations through use of a random forest model incorporating satellite-derived Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) from five satellite products and meteorology from ERA5 reanalysis. Thanks to Ramboll Australia for hosting the event.
The WA Branch Committee are planning delivery of a series of technical sessions into FY24, including our upcoming AGM in November 2023, details of which will be shared soon. We encourage members to share their feedback and ideas to help ensure we continue to offer value to our community.
Ruth Peiffer, Branch President ruthpeiffer@gmail.comhttps://www.casanz.org.au/index.cfm//about/branches/wa/
Please see below for an update on SIG activities for the past quarter. SIGs are always looking for input and participation by members, so please contact the relevant SIG Chair to provide input and assistance. SIGs are able to facilitate the sharing of information and can administer events such as webinars, as developments arise. We can all benefit from collective sharing of ideas and discussion, so please don’t hesitate to utilise this forum to reach members with similar interests.
No Report Submitted
Jack Chiodo, Air Policy SIG Chair jackchiodo@bigpond.com
The Air Quality and Health SIG are looking for a new Chair. If you are interested, please get in touch with the CASANZ Admin (admin@casanz.org.au)
https://www.casanz.org.au/index.cfm//about/special-interestgroups/air-quality-and-health/
The main activity recently was the 21st International Conference of Nucleation and Atmospheric Aerosols (ICNAA 2023). 26 June 2023 to 30 June 2023. QUT Brisbane https://www.icnaa2023.com.au/ Many of the ANZAA attended.
The European Aerosol Conference was held in Malaga last week, haven’t had any reports back yet…
The next ANZAA annual meeting will be at the Murramarang Beachfront Resort, South Durras, NSW to coincide with the annual Atmospheric Composition & Chemistry Observations and Modelling Conference incorporating the Kennaook/Cape Grim Annual Science Meeting 2023 on Monday 20th November –Thursday 23rd November 2023.
Guy Coulson, ANZAA Chair guy.coulson@niwa.co.nz
https://www.casanz.org.au/index.cfm//about/special-interestgroups/anzaa/
The Biomass Burning SIGs June 2023 workshop traversed the issues around setting standards for wood burners and the potential for progressing the “real life” Canterbury Method 1 testing regime into an official AUS/NZ standard. The workshop included an overview on the role of the standards in both Australia and New Zealand and included some excellent technical presentations on testing protocols and differences between CM1 and AUS/NZS 4013, technologies and issues and pragmatic considerations for the future of the standards. The workshop concluded with a brainstorming session (and some clever zoom whiteboarding (thanks Elsa)) which identified resourcing and other key issues for the progression of CM1 as a standard.
The SIG has no further events on the calendar for 2023 but will be looking at a number of events in 2024 including at the Hobart conference.
Emily Wilton and John Innis, Biomass Smoke SIG Chairs
ewilton@environet.co.nz; John.Innis@epa.tas.gov.au
https://www.casanz.org.au/index.cfm//about/special-interestgroups/biomass-burning/
The Climate Change SIG committee was formed in March 2023 this year and consists of 18 volunteers with a passion for climate change related work. The vision for the SIG is to provide a knowledge-sharing hub, with resources and information to help members find solutions to the most pressing issues related to climate change. CCSIG hopes to build a community that hosts events, training opportunities, and workshops to help educate members about the latest advances in climate change science and technology.
The CCSIG was formally launched 6 June 2023 with their three-speaker event ‘Exploring the Interconnectedness Between Air Quality and Climate Change’ This event was widely attended with a large quantity of registrations and attendees. The SIG thanks the speakers Dr Christian Reuten, Dr Hiep Duc and Dr Louise Kristensen for making this event so successful. CCSIG hopes this has generated a number of new members joining the SIG.
The CCSIG is still developing, however has been busy identifying prominent information gaps that Air Quality professionals are currently navigating. CCSIG are scheming ideas to help accelerate climate change upskilling and solve issues through generating a community and forums for discussion. The current focus of the CCSIG is to provide an engaging online session for Air Talks 2024 which will have the topic ‘Pathways to Address the Climate Crisis’ This will be closely followed by workshops or similar provided at the Hobart conference.
Alida Van Vugt, Climate Change SIG Chair Alida.VanVugt@pdp.co.nz https://www.casanz.org.au/index.cfm//about/special-interestgroups/transport/
2023 has been an exciting year for the EAQP SIG! Throughout the year we have been co-hosting in-person social events which have taken place in Auckland, Perth, Christchurch and Melbourne. We are currently in the process of planning social events for the remaining branch locations, so if you are interested - keep an eye out for the next EAQP SIG social event in your region!
In April this year, we also held an online technical event, where NSW EPA representatives presented on the Climate Change Policy and Action Plan. This was a very successful event and even set a historical record in registration numbers with more than 100 people signing up for the event.
Finally, we are currently working on increasing our engagement with university students and are looking to host an online “Careers Day” event where university students can hear all about what it is like working in the air quality field. If you have any connections with local universities - we want to hear from you!
Sophie Materia, EAQP Chair sophie.materia@mottmac.com
https://www.casanz.org.au/index.cfm//about/special-interestgroups/eaqp/
I am Mikael Boulic. Last month, I agreed to take on the role of the IAQ SIG chair.
I am teaching Building Technology at Massey University, Auckland, NZ. When not delivering lectures, I am actively involved in several IAQ projects. For example, I supervise PhD candidates on projects investigating solar ventilation to increase the ventilation rate in primary schools, studying the impact of IAQ on cognitive performance, or understanding the use of heating and ventilation in building.
Perry Davy will remain deputy chair, and Bill Trompetter will support this transition by becoming a committee member with Philip Turner and Frank Macdonald. It would be great to increase the number of committee members. Please let me know if you are keen to join the committee.
Mikael Boulic, Indoor Air SIG Chair m.boulic@massey.ac.nz
https://www.casanz.org.au/index.cfm//about/special-interestgroups/indoor-air/
My name is Heath Thatcher, and I have taken on the role of Measurement SIG Chair.
I am a Senior Air Technical Policy Advisor at the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA). My primary role is to provide technical advice on matters relating to air quality including air pollution and its management. I provide senior level input into air quality regulation, policy and strategy development and manage projects that involve the research, analysis and monitoring of air quality and pollution control. Prior to joining the EPA in 2017, I worked in consulting where I specialised in air emissions monitoring and gained a passion for stack testing.
I am excited about the new role and I am seeking passionate individuals to join the committee. I feel there is some great work being done in the measurement space and I see the Measurement SIG as a great platform for sharing it more broadly with the air quality community via an active and engaged SIG. If you have any questions, suggestions or would just like to introduce yourself, please feel free to contact me at heath.thatcher@epa.nsw.gov.au.
Heath Thatcher, Measurement SIG Chair
Heath.Thatcher@epa.nsw.gov.au
https://www.casanz.org.au/index.cfm//about/special-interestgroups/measurement/
This quarter members of ModSIG submitted a response to the proposed changes to the Brisbane City Council Air Quality Planning Scheme. This change specifically relates to the “SC6.2 Air quality planning scheme policy” section relating to the addition of the GRAL modelling system for the use as a dispersion model. ModSIG support the inclusion of GRAL into the air quality planning scheme policy and have provide recommendations relating to a number of input parameters.
David Rollings, Modelling SIG Chair david.rollings@aecom.com
https://www.casanz.org.au/index.cfm//about/special-interestgroups/modelling/
Odour SIG is pleased to announce that CASANZ will be hosting the 10th International Water Association (IWA) Odour and Volatile Emissions Conference, which will be held in parallel with the 2024 CASANZ Clean Air Conference in Hobart, Australia.
A major overhaul of the syllabus for the CASANZ Odour Course is planned. Since you have discussed to read this section, here is a sneak peek of the proposed CASANZ Odour Course development by the Odour SIG committee that will have a diversity of speakers and guest speakers and be tailored for Consultants, Government, Council, and Industry:
Odour and Measurement.
Odour Dispersion Modelling and Simulation.
Community Odour Perception and Sensory Evaluation.
Odour Abatement and Control Strategies.
Emerging Technologies in Odour Monitoring and Source Identification.
Continued with the planning and development of the longawaited field ambient odour assessment survey guidance document for Australia and New Zealand. This might take some time, but we are determined to get there.
Michael Assal, Odour SIG Chair massal@odourunit.com.au
https://www.casanz.org.au/index.cfm//about/special-interestgroups/odour/
TSIG has been busy planning for CASANZ’s first Transport Symposium, to be held on 14 and 15 November 2023, with the theme ‘How do we achieve a rapid transition to sustainable transport?’, and specific topics on the opportunities, benefits and behavioural changes needed. This two day online symposium will present considerations to influence change across Australia and New Zealand, necessary to advance the transition to sustainable transport and will be featuring a range of international and local speakers.
This is an exciting and challenging area to explore so please join in on the discussion. Details can be found at Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand Inc (casanz.org.au)
Sharon Atkins & Emily Kemp, Transport SIG Chairs sharon.atkins@nzta.govt.nz; emily.j.kemp@transport.nsw.gov.au
https://www.casanz.org.au/index.cfm//about/special-interestgroups/transport/
DATE COURSE WHERE
3, 4, 5, 6
October 2023
CALPUFF
This course is intended for air quality professionals who require knowledge of puff air dispersion modelling approaches and techniques. Build upon essential ADM concepts demonstrating that potential for accurate results at small and large scales or in regions of immense complexity. At the end of the course, attendees will be able to use the appropriate model necessary for a variety of regulatory applications, efficiently using the model. Case studies will be used throughout the course giving “real world” applicability to atmospheric dispersion theory.
10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19
October 2023
Introduction to Stack Testing
This course that offers a thorough introduction to the science of stack testing covering essential principles and exploring the US EPA methods in detail to understand the functioning and rationale of each method. The course topic includes Overview of stack emissions testing, Key principles, application of safe systems of work, periodic and continuous monitoring, selection of sampling locations and points, selection and application of methods and reporting.
1, 2, 8, 9
November 2023
Introduction to Meteorology for Air Quality
An understanding of meteorology is essential for air quality practitioners. This course outlines key meteorological concepts and will assist you in making informed decisions for siting air quality monitoring stations, choosing representative data for air quality modelling, preparation of model input files and undertaking meteorological modelling. Standard registration close on 25 October 2023.
14, 15
November 2023
Transport Symposium – How do we achieve a rapid transformation to sustainable transport?
This two-day online symposium will present considerations to influence change across Australia and New Zealand, necessary to advance the transition to sustainable transport. Featuring a range of international and local speakers, this symposium will address three key questions:
1.What are the opportunities for rapid transition to sustainable transport?
2.What are the benefits of a rapid transition to sustainable transport?
3.How do we achieve the behavioural changes needed to influence the rapid transition to sustainable transport?
4 x 4 hours online
6 x 2 hours online
4 x 2 hours online
2 x 6 hours online
15, 16, 22, 23
November 2023
Understanding and Managing Air Quality
This key foundation course introduces the key aspects of air quality management, including the science behind the behaviour and effects of air pollution. The course covers air quality principles and describes how pollutants are assessed through modelling, monitoring and emission inventories. This course is suited to those new to or wishing to expand their knowledge in the air quality field.
19 Feb –1 March 2024
AIR TALKS 2024
Presented over two weeks, AIR TALKS 2024 has each Special Interest Group focus on a theme with the aim to advance knowledge within each specialised area while addressing current air quality issues in Australia and New Zealand. AIR TALKS seeks to explore relevant topics and emerging challenges, fostering thoughtful and stimulating discussions and offering practical takeaways.
5, 6, 7, 13, 14
March 2024
WRF
CASANZ are pleased to present WRF, returning to our training calendar for the first time since 2019. WRF has been transformed to be fully online using a different methodology developed by Wei Wang and the team at NCAR Colorado specific for the Australia/ New Zealand are quality professional.
The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) is an atmospheric modelling system designed for both meteorological research and numerical weather prediction. It offers a host of options for atmospheric and land processes and can be configured to run for a broad range of applications across scales ranging from tens of meters to thousands of kilometres. This tutorial offers basic training on understanding and operating components of the WRF modelling system. It consists of short, pre-recorded lectures on the basic functions of the model to be completed prior to the online question and answer sessions where participants will work through hands-on practice and discussion.
The standard registration fee applies until 20 February 2024. Please Note: Registrations will close on 27 February 2024 to allow time for viewing of lectures.
4 x 2 hours online
5 x 2 hours online
1 Exposure Science and Health, School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia
Keywords: inhalation, exposure, peak, VOC
The significance of intense exposures of short duration (peaks) to volatile organic compounds (VOC) has been of interest in the last three decades, however, it has not yet progressed into more definitive inhalation dosimetry and subsequently remains an area of exposure science requiring further exploration. While we have recognized the standard chronic time-averaged approach across occupational and environmental inhalation exposures for many years it is mainly in the ambient quality area where peak particulate exposures have been recognized as significant. This has arisen due to population studies and human exposure studies supporting rapid cardiopulmonary effects as evidenced through hospital-admission morbidity and mortality data and also through acute reduced cardiac outputs in volunteers exposed to fine particles.
In terms of chemical exposures, it has been recognized that peaks produce an elevated dose rate at target tissues and organs, potentially altering metabolism, overloading protective and repair mechanisms and amplifying tissue responses (Smith, 2001). Checkoway and Rice (1992) in the area of occupational epidemiology, discussed the issue of peak exposure intensity associated with acute health outcomes. They suggested that in some cases peak exposure may be aetiologically relevant to chronic disease induction. They further suggested that non-linear rates of damage may occur during brief periods of very high exposure This opinion was supported by data from a casecontrol study of worker exposure to silica that demonstrated that relative peak exposure and average non-peak exposures, appeared better predictors of silicosis risk than cumulative exposure.
Bushnell (1997) in a rodent inhalation dosimetry study, examined TCE effects on signal detection behavior and reported that the dosimetry did not obey Haber’s Rule. That is, that a linear increase in response is observed at a certain concentration with increasing exposure duration, expressed as the product of C x t, where C is the concentration in air and t is the time. He observed that Haber’s Rule
underestimated the risk of behaviour change from short-term exposures to TCE, and that the acute toxicity was thus independent of exposure duration.
Later studies confirmed these results when Boyes et al. (2000), using three measures of neurotoxicity (hearing loss, signal detection behavior and visual function) and TCE inhalation exposures in LongEvans rats, confirmed that risk would be overestimated if extrapolated from short-term to long-term exposures, but underestimated if extrapolated from long-term to short-term exposures. They found that the acute effect of TCE on behaviour and visual function was better associated with the blood TCE concentration at time of testing than the cumulative exposure measured as the area under the blood TCE concentration curve (AUC).
Additional studies by Boyes et al. (2003, 2005) examined the effects of TCE inhalation exposures in rats on visual function and concluded that neither the use of a linear form of Haber’s rule, nor an estimate of AUC of brain TCE accurately predicted the risks of acute TCE exposure. It was concluded that momentary brain TCE concentration (for example, at the time of testing) could predict the effects of TCE across exposure concentrations and durations. A subsequent similar study by Boyes et al. (2007) using toluene, reported similar outcomes.
Supporting information has also been reported by Kimmel et al. (2002), who examined exposure duration relationships in rat embryos associated with hyperthermia. The specific purpose was to assess whether developmental responses followed Haber’s Law. The study demonstrated that the response of the developing embryo to hyperthermia was dependent on an additional component of exposure beyond cumulative exposure. Contrary to Haber’s Law, the probability of the effect was greater at higher temperatures for short durations than at lower temperatures for longer durations.
Rhomberg (2009) further explored inhalation dosimetry by considering that in attaining a tissue concentration, three empirical approaches exist:
• Haber’s Law (linear response)
• The ten Berge equation (non-linear response)
• Pure concentration-dependence – this assumes that any exposure to a critical air concentration will have equal effect irrespective of time duration.
Rhomberg (2009) suggested that toxicity depended on the kinetics of uptake, progressive body burden leading to a critical tissue concentration and the balance of damage and repair rates. In the case of pure concentrationdependence, he suggested that toxicity depended only on the peak internal concentration, which was toxicologically consequential and generated by the balance of the previous elements.
The work by Bushnell et al. (1997) and Boyes et al. (2000; 2003; 2005; 2007) has only been briefly discussed within US regulatory documentation. The US EPA (2005) in their review of the toxicology of toluene and discussion of physiologically-based pharmaco-kinetic models, stated that, ‘A critical part of the acute research is the finding that the peak tissue concentration of trichloroethylene (a volatile organic compound with similar acute neurotoxicity to toluene) predicted momentary changes in neurological function, and that the amount of exposure (expressed either as air concentration x duration product or area under the curve of the tissue dose level) did not predict the measured effect (on visual function in this case (Boyes et al. 2003)”(pp8384).
The US EPA (2005), however, further stated that it was not clear whether chronic exposures and neurotoxicity could consider this type of dose metric and subsequently the default position in RfC development of using chronic data was sustained. A very brief comment was also made in the US EPA status report on advances in inhalation dosimetry related to gases that have lower respiratory tract and systemic effects (US EPA 2011). In reference to the use of an overall mass transport coefficient (in determining region-specific dose) and thus retaining a spatial concentration distribution within an analysis, rather than the well-stirred model theory of spatially uniform distribution, the US EPA (2011) state that, “Such an approach provides a more realistic basis from which to assess critical dose metric, including peak concentration or peak flux” (p3-2). This reference to peak concentration is the only reference within this document. As more information in this area is reported further improvements in the application of this knowledge can be expected.
Boyes, WK, Bercegeay, M, Ali, JS, Krantz, T, McGee, J, Evans, M, Raymer, JH, Bushnell, PJ & Simmons, JE 2003, 'Dose-based duration adjustments for the effects of inhaled trichloroethylene on rat visual function', Toxicological Sciences, 76, (1):121-130.
Boyes, WK, Bercegeay, M, Krantz, QT, Kenyon, EM, Bale, AS, Shafer, TJ, Bushnell, PJ & Benignus, VA 2007 'Acute toluene exposure and rat visual function in proportion to momentary brain concentration', Toxicological Sciences, 99, (2): 572-58
Boyes, WK, Bercegeay, M, Krantz, T, Evans, M, Benignus, V & Simmons, JE 2005 'Momentary brain concentration of trichloroethylene predicts the effects on rat visual function', Toxicological Sciences, 87, (1): 187-196.
Boyes, WK, Bushnell, PJ, Crofton, KM, Evans, M & Simmons, JE 2000, 'Neurotoxic and pharmacokinetic responses to trichloroethylene as a function of exposure scenario', Environmental Health Perspectives, 108:317322.
Bushnell, PJ 1997 'Concentration-time relationships for the effects of inhaled trichloroethylene on signal detection behavior in rats', Fundamental and Applied Toxicology, 36 (1:30-38.
Checkoway, H and Rice, CH 1992 'Time-weighted averages, peaks, and other indexes of exposure in occupational epidemiology', American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 21, (1): 25-33.
Kimmel, GL, Williams, PL, Claggett, TW & Kimmel, CA 2002 'Response-surface analysis of exposure-duration relationships: the effects of hyperthermia on embryonic development of the rat in vitro', Toxicological Sciences, 69 (2): 391-399.
Kuempel ED, Sweeney LM, Morris JB, and Jrabek AM 2015 ‘Advances in Inhalation Dosimetry Models and Methods for Occupational Risk Assessment and Exposure Limit Derivation’. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 12: S18-S40.
North CM, Rooseboom M, Kocabas NA, Synhaeve N, Radcliffe RJ, and Segal L 2023 ‘Application of physiologically- based pharmacokinetic modeled toluene blood concentration in the assessment of short-term exposure limits.’ Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 140:105380, pp.1-6.
Preller L, Burstyn I, De Pater, N and Kromhout H 2004 ‘Characteristics of Peaks of Inhalation Exposure to Organic Solvents.’ Ann. Occup. Hyg., 48(7):643-652.
Rhomberg, LR 2009 'Uptake kinetics, species differences, and the determination of equivalent combinations of air concentration and exposure duration for assessment of acute inhalation toxicity', Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, 15 (6): 1099-1145.
Smith TJ. 2001 ‘Studying peak exposure – toxicology and exposure statistics’. In Marklund S, editor. X2001 Exposure assessment in epidemiology and practice. Stockholm: National Institute for Working Life: 207–9.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) 2005 ‘Toxicological review of toluene’, in support of summary information on the integrated risk information system (IRIS), US Environment Protection Agency, Washington DC.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) 2011 ‘Status report: advances in inhalation dosimetry for gases with lower respiratory tract and systemic effects’, EPA/600/R-11/067, US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.
A version of this article first appeared in the May 2023 ACTRA Newsletter.
Air Matters Limited, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, 3116, New Zealand
In 2019, the New Zealand EPA (NZ EPA) concluded that grounds exist to reassess the use of hydrogen cyanamide. In September 2021, the NZ EPA proposed to revoke the approval of hydrogen cyanamide and soluble concentrate containing 520 to 540 g/L hydrogen cyanamide with a phase-out period of 5 years (EPA 2021). The primary rationale for the proposed revocation of approvals was the potential for significant exposure to operators handling and spraying cyanamide products. The NZ EPA carried out a qualitative risk assessment to estimate operator exposure. The outputs from this model were compared to an AOEL (acceptable operator exposure level) as defined by the NZ EPA
Hydrogen cyanamide is used as a plant growth regulator to promote uniform bud break and flowering on kiwifruit vines. The chemical helps produce a greater yield of quality fruit that ripens at the same time making it easier to harvest. The product is used extensively throughout various horticultural industries including kiwifruit, pip-fruit, and stone-fruit, with predominant use for kiwifruit in New Zealand. It is estimated that eighty percent of its use is within the Bay of Plenty region in New Zealand, with application (spraying) occurring once per year per orchard from July to September (NZ EPA 2012).
In mammalian species, including humans, hydrogen cyanamide is rapidly absorbed and metabolised predominantly to Nacetylcyanamide after oral ingestion and dermal exposure (Mertschenk et al 1991; Shirota et al 1984). Hydrogen cyanamide is water soluble,
has a short elimination half-life of approximately 4 hours and no tendency for accumulation in the body (ECHA, 2014). Occupational exposure to hydrogen cyanamide is predominantly through the skin with a negligible amount via inhalation (Formoli et al., 1993).
Toxicological data indicates that hydrogen cyanamide is a Category 2 skin and eye irritant as well as a dermal sensitiser. Antabuse-like effects can occur when exposure is combined with alcohol.
The NZ EPA’s use of theoretical exposure modelling resulted in levels of operator exposure approximately an order of magnitude greater than that measured empirically in operator exposure studies in California (Formoli et al 1993). The Californian study used hydrogen cyanamide on grape vines in an analogous manner to the use on kiwifruit orchards in New Zealand. This is primarily due to the nature of spraying activities with grapes being similar to kiwifruit including the lack of foliage during spraying which potentially affects operator exposure.
As a worst-case scenario in the NZ EPA model, a top application rate for hydrogen cyanamide on kiwifruit of 25 kg ai/ha (kilograms of active ingredient per hectare) was used. Based on the model results, the NZ EPA estimated that the operators using open systems for loading and spraying would have an exposure to hydrogen cyanamide of 0.3043 mg/kg bw/day (milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day) when wearing full PPE (personal protective equipment) during loading and application. At the lower application rate of 10.4 kg ai/ha, the operators using open systems for loading and spraying were estimated to have an exposure to hydrogen cyanamide of 0.1266 mg/kg bw/day wearing the full PPE. The New Zealand EPA also estimated
exposures to hydrogen cyanamide for operators using closed systems for loading and spraying using no PPE to be 0.0775 mg/kg bw/day.
The closed spraying system is defined as a machine cab where the windows are unopened, an air conditioning system is working inside the cab and there are standard filters for the air coming into the cab, as shown below. The closed loading system was defined as closed hose attached to a pump that pumps from a container into the spraying machine (EPA Science Memo 2021).
exposures. In another aspect of this study, 24hour urine samples were collected to enable levels of the major cyanamide metabolite to be quantified.
This study quantified exposure levels for operators preparing and spraying hydrogen cyanamide on dormant kiwifruit vines by observing and recording tasks undertaken in the field as well as collecting dermal samples. The study focussed on the Bay of Plenty which produces around 80% of New Zealand’s kiwifruit and therefore has the greatest density of kiwifruit growers who use hydrogen cyanamide.
The study did not investigate the potential exposure of bystanders (excluding those involved in the preparation and application of hydrogen cyanamide) and other orchard workers. However, as a rule, when spraying takes place no other orchard workers are permitted on site.
access to such data may assist with refinement of their risk assessment.
A key component of exposure modelling is the use of a validated model that has been assessed against measurement data. As an interim step this study undertook some preliminary evaluation of these operator exposures using in-situ measurement methods.
A literature search found few previous examples of workplace exposure studies with hydrogen cyanamide as the contaminant of concern, even fewer where it was used in orchards as a budbreak agent and none where it had been used on kiwifruit. As such, the closest prior study was Formoli et al (1993) who looked at hydrogen cyanamide exposures during spraying in grapevines, which most closely matched conditions found in New Zealand kiwifruit orchards. Formoli et al (1993) utilised α-cellulose patches for body exposure dosimetry, felt respirator pads for inhalation exposure, and hand washes in surfactant solution for hand
The study set out to recruit two categories of spraying groups; those who spray with open cabs and those who spray with closed cabs. All operators regardless of gender, who were aged between 18- and 70-years were eligible for this study. The minimum application criteria were that operators must be able to give informed consent and that spraying took place before 20th August 2022.
In total, 23 operators were recruited for this study with one operator monitored across two days. The sampling strategy considered the variability of exposure, including the type of equipment used, the way hydrogen cyanamide was loaded into spraying machines, the application rate used, the type of personal protective equipment used, the number of hectares sprayed across the day, and cleaning methods. The majority of the operators used closed cabs for spraying, with four using open cab systems. The monitoring took place across nine separate days from 2nd August 2022 to 15th August 2022.
Various methods for assessing exposure to hydrogen cyanamide were investigated for use in the study. The accessibility of sampling equipment, capabilities of laboratories and timeframes for method development were all important considerations in the final iteration.
Biomonitoring is the best estimate of operator systemic exposure as it covers all routes of exposure, with dermal being the main route, followed by inhalation and ingestion.
Biomonitoring was not undertaken in this study due to difficulty obtaining the correct analytical standard for N-acetylcyanamide and insufficient time to fully validate the analytical methodology Urinalysis for the metabolite N-acetylcyanamide was performed by Formoli et al (1993), which did report a reasonable correlation between biomonitoring and dosimetry estimates.
Whole body dosimetry was used successfully by both Rath (2011) and Wilson (2017) using white cotton clothing. This approach is preferred to patch dosimetry as it limits the number of assumptions and extrapolations required when assessing dermal exposure. White clothing was thought to limit the potential for dyes to affect the analysis and cotton is known to absorb moisture effectively. Uncertainty around boot style and potential feet contamination led to dosimetry for the feet being omitted.
Assessment of operator ’s hand exposure was considered important as they have a high potential for contamination but are impractical to include in dosimetry. Formoli et al (1993) used a solution of a non-ionic detergent (Tween®20,
polyethylene glycol sorbitan monolaurate) for operators to wash their hands in, which was then analysed for cyanamide. This is important as operators can frequently change disposable and reusable gloves
3.4
An assessment of head exposure was required. Wilson (2017) used face and neck wipes consisting of two cotton gauze wipes wetted with Tween®20 solution.
3.5
Formoli et al (1993) used felt respirator pads attached to coveralls to capture spray droplets, however this method potentially resulted in overestimation due to larger droplets also being absorbed by the pads. Other studies used impingers (Rath 2011) or OVS tubes (Wilson 2017) to estimate inhalation exposure, however impingers are difficult to use in an uncontrolled workplace environment and OVS tubes have not been validated for capture and desorption efficiency with cyanamide
As cyanamide is highly soluble in water and has a low vapour pressure at ambient air temperatures, this suggests almost all cyanamide would be a mist in the air rather than a vapour. Water droplets are generally only aerosolised during spraying, with spray drift surfactants ensuring that the generation of respirable sized droplets is low. The results from Formoli et al (1993), along with default assumptions included in the NZ EPA’s assessment (EPA 2021), indicated that inhalation was not the primary route of exposure
The methodology adopted for the study to assess operator exposure used white cotton long sleeved top and pants for whole body dosimetry, cotton gauze dressings and Tween®20 solution for face and neck wipes and deionised water with Tween®20 solution for hand washes. Post-sampling, the clothing was sectioned in a similar manner to that used in Rath (2011) as demonstrated below Results from the face and neck wipes were used to extrapolate to the entire head area, while results from the lower leg were extrapolated to the feet based on anthropometric data (Berkow 1931).
These results were multiplied by the nominal rate of dermal absorption (11.2%; Formoli et al 1993) to give an internal systemic dose then divided by the operators own body weight to give an estimated exposure in milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day (mg/kg bw/day)
Table 4.1 presents the data relating to the estimated systemic exposure for the whole study cohort (n=24). Data is presented as ranges, the geometric mean and the 95% CI in mg/kg bw/day.
similar to that obtained in the Formoli et al (1993) vineyard study (0.003 mg/kg bw/day) especially when adjusted for the difference in application rate (22.7 versus 19.7 kg ai/ha). The exposure was appreciably lower (76-fold) than the predicted exposure of 0.304 mg/kg bw/day obtained from NZ EPA (2021) model using a high application rate of 25.0 kg ai/ha for open cab operators while using PPE. Exposures were almost 20-fold lower than the NZ EPA’s predicted exposure of 0.078 mg/kg bw/day for closed loading and closed cab spraying when using no PPE. The NZ EPA calculated the predicted exposure of 0.078 mg/kg bw/day by adding a full daily exposure of 0.049 mg/kg bw/day for loading and a full daily exposure of 0.029 mg/kg bw/day for spraying.
The average exposure for operators varies considerably between the studies. Modelled data has resulted in a far more conservative level of exposure compared to the studies where monitoring has been used to estimate exposure. To determine why this variability exists, an assessment of the exposure parameters and model inputs has been undertaken. The modelled data inputs from NZ EPA (2021), data from the Formoli et al (1993) study and this study are presented in Table 5.2.
To determine how well the model used by the NZ EPA reflects actual operator exposure, a comparison of different studies has been presented in Table 5.1. To allow for comparison, the operators who only undertook loading in this study were excluded (n=22)
The geometric mean exposure for the sprayers in this study (0.005 mg/kg bw/day), was very
The study found that the average application rate used by the Bay of Plenty operators was slightly below the NZ EPA’s highest application rate of 25.0 kg ai/ha as most monitored operators mixed to a concentration of 6% and applied at 700 L/ha, as opposed to NZ EPA’s 6% and 800 L/ha. The average hectares sprayed across each shift in this study was 8.0 ha which was the same as the Formoli et al (1993) study but was below the NZ EPA value of 10.0 ha.
The dermal absorption percentage of 11.2% used in this study was in line with the percentage used by Formoli et al (1993) for both loaders and sprayers, which was derived from a study on rats by LeVan (1989) due to human studies not adequately assessing dermal absorption. LeVan (1989) calculated the mean percent dermal absorption by adding the penetrated dose (%) with that remaining in the washed skin in all rat dose groups, which were anticipated to cover the range of operator exposure to hydrogen cyanamide. The mean percent dermal absorption, after correcting for total dose recovery, was calculated to be 11.2%. This absorption percentage was between the NZ EPA’s (2021) dermal absorption percentages of 14.3% for concentrated product and 8.2% for diluted product used in the model.
The study utilised each operator’s actual body weight for the estimated systemic exposure calculations. This was deemed to be more accurate than using default body weights due to correlations between body weight and skin surface area. Default body weights of 70kg were utilised by Formoli et al (1993) and NZ EPA (2021), which was considerably lower than the average body weight of 97kg from the study.
The NZ EPA (2021) only undertook modelling for operators who sprayed hydrogen cyanamide across a shift as it was assumed that all operators undertook their own loading and spraying rather than having operators that only loaded machines. Despite the small sample number of loaders in this study (n=2), the geometric mean internal dose of 0.015 mg/kg bw/day was consistent with the geometric mean value obtained in the Formoli et al (1993) study of 0.015 mg/kg bw/day for operators who only loaded.
Formoli et al (1993) also included biological monitoring (urine) on operators while spraying and found the exposure from the two methodologies to be concordant. Both this study and the Formoli et al (1993) study have shown estimated values of exposure to hydrogen cyanamide during the spraying of vines to be lower than the modelled exposure data used by the NZ EPA in their Reassessment of Hydrogen Cyanamide.
Models are a widely accepted tool for estimating and assessing exposure risks. The degree of
confidence that can be placed in a risk assessment depends on the reliability of the models chosen and their input parameters (National Research Council, 1994) The outcome of the study supports this by illustrating how the differences between real world data and theoretical data impact on model outputs and the risk assessments that they are used to inform.
Future work may include biological monitoring which was unable to be completed in this study but represents the most suitable index of realworld chemical exposure for this situation.
References
Berkow S. 1931, ‘Value of surface-area proportions in the prognosis of cutaneous burns and scalds’, The American Journal of Surgery, 11(2):315-317
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Classification and Labelling Harmonisation (CLH) 2014, ‘Proposal for Harmonised Classification and Labelling: Cyanamide’. Formoli T. Brodberg R. and Thonginthusak T 1993, ‘Estimation of exposure of persons in California to pesticide products that contain hydrogen cyanamide’, California Environmental Protection Agency, HS-1685
LeVan L. 1989, ‘Dermal absorption of [14C]hydrogen cyanamide in male rates’, Hazleton Laboratories America Study No. 6265-100 DPR 50660-077.
Mertschenk B. Bornemann W. Filser J. von Meyer L. Rust U. Schneider J. and Gloxhuber C. 1991, ‘Urinary excretion of acetylcyanamide in rate and human after oral and dermal application of hydrogen cyanamide’, Archives of Toxicology, 65(4).
National Research Council (US) Committee on Risk Assessment of Hazardous Air Pollutants, 1994. ‘Science and Judgement Risk Assessment, National Academies Press’. New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority, 2012, ‘Monitoring the effectiveness of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996’.
New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority 2020. ‘Risk Assessment Methodology for Hazardous Substances; How to assess the risk, cost and benefit of new hazardous substances for use in New Zealand’.
New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority 2021. ‘Application report:
reassessment of hydrogen cyanamide, APP203974’.
Rath A. 2011. ‘Determination of Operator Exposure (Passive Dosimetry) During Mixing/Loading and Applying a Biocidal Product Containing Cyanamide (C.A. 50% W/W) On Slatted Floors in Piggeries’, SGS Institut Fresenius GmbH
Shirota F. Nagasawa H. Kwon C. and DeMaster
E. 1984 ‘N-Acetylcyanamide, the major urinary metabolite of cyanamide in rat, rabbit, dog, and man’, Drug Metab Dispos 12:337-344.
Wilson A. 2017. ‘Determination of Operator Exposure During Typical Activities Associated with Mixing/Loading and Application of Perlka (A Granular Formulation Containing 450 g/kg
Calcium Cyanamide) at Farm Locations in Europe’, AlzChem AG.
1Hydroxyl Technologies Ltd, Suite LP36359, 20-22 Wenlock Road, London, N1 7GU, United Kingdom
2Halsto Pty Ltd, Suite 104,109 Oxford St, Bondi Junction, NSW, 2022, Australia
Keywords: Hydroxyl Diffusion, Open Air Factor, Indoor Air Quality, Germicidal
In the late 20th century, Alan Mole, a mostly selftaught polymath operating in his spare time outside of mainstream academia, solved the centuries old mystery of the origin of the natural and powerful outdoor ‘Open Air Factor’ that makes us mostly safe from infection outdoors (Mole 2004) That knowledge has directly led to a revolutionary ‘hydroxyl diffuser’ technology which destroys or neutralises all types of germs, allergens and odours and most other irritants and harmful pollutants, throughout entire indoor spaces, while people remain safely present (Airora 2023)
The recognition that outdoor air has germicidal properties was widely exploited during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the treatment of tuberculosis, where patients underwent 'open-air therapy' to help them heal (Henderson 2009). It was further exploited by military surgeons during the First World War who used the same open-air technique to disinfect and heal severe wounds and by doctors to treat influenza patients during the 1918-19 pandemic (Hobday et al 2022).
There appears to have been little further interest in the germicidal properties of outdoor air following this period and during the 1950s chemical therapies superseded ‘open air therapy’, and interest diminished.
During the 1960s and 1970s these germicidal properties were briefly revisited by UK biodefence scientists at Porton Down (Hobday et al 2022) who conducted experiments proving that open air has a potent germicidal effect. However, not knowing the origin of the effect, they simply called it the ‘Open Air Factor’ or OAF. The Porton Down scientists demonstrated that OAF effect occurred outside but didn’t occur inside unless ventilation rates were very high indeed. From this they deduced that whatever the active agent was, it was clearly very short lived. However, they ultimately failed to identify the active agent, as at that time no test technique was sensitive enough to identify and measure the OAF present in the air.
When this research ended in the 1970s, interest in the OAF again fell away except amongst a small group of scientists, including Alan Mole, who were determined to unravel the mystery.
In the years that followed, atmospheric hydroxyl radicals1 (commonly ‘hydroxyls’ and known as ‘The Detergent of the Atmosphere’ because of their war of attrition against atmospheric pollutants) were recognised as one possible source of the germicidal effect. Others contended that, given typical concentrations, their very short life and their creation at random locations, they were statistically unlikely to react with harmful viruses, bacteria and moulds in sufficient numbers to be the OAF germicide Instead, other Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)2 might play a dominant role (Hobday et al 2022).
But by the turn of the 20th century, by persistently focussing on advances at the intersection of atmospheric chemistry, microbiology and aerobiology Alan Mole concluded, and experimentally demonstrated, that OAF wasn’t just hydroxyls in general and / or other ROS, but principally a particular subset of hydroxyl radicals that are created in a particular way, such that they became a powerful targeted germicide.
There are multiple sources of hydroxyls in outdoor air. The most common daytime source being a photochemical reaction which creates randomly dispersed hydroxyls. However, another significant source is the natural 24-hour outdoor reaction of ozone with aromatic essential oils emitted from plants (Geyer et al 2003). The defining feature of this second source is that the underlying cascade reaction condenses, and has a strong propensity to occur on surfaces, including the surfaces of particles such as harmful viruses, bacteria and moulds (Dark et al 1970). It is hydroxyls created from this condensing reaction, at the very surface of viruses, bacteria and moulds, which target the hydroxyls and make them such a powerful germicide.
Fortunately, humans, animals, and plants have evolved over millennia to co-exist with hydroxyls and their reaction by-products (Martenez et al 2020) Atmospheric hydroxyls cannot enter the blood stream or tissues within the body, because skin and mucosal membranes have evolved to provide a protective barrier.
Clearly, as hydroxyls were not just a powerful outdoor germicide, but were also not harmful to
humans, they held considerable promise in infection prevention.
Over the last decade ‘air cleaners’ based on creating hydroxyl radicals by photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) as pioneered by NASA have become available (Perry et al 2011). However, because the life of a hydroxyl radical is so short, their impact outside of the air cleaner is, whatever the claims made, strictly limited. In fact, these hydroxyls radical ‘air cleaners’ basically act as filters and share all the same physical limitations as other filters, principally that typically only 50% of the ever-changing air in a room passes through the filter and is ‘cleaned’ (Novoselac et al 2009).
Given the limited performance of PCO air cleaners, Hydroxyl Diffuser technology has been developed to replicate the outdoor essential oil cascade reaction continuously throughout entire indoor spaces and calibrated to create a hydroxyl concentration at the lower end of those typically found outdoors.
The concentration of hydroxyls in the lower atmosphere has been determined to generally lie between 0.5x106 per cm3 and 5x106 per cm3 (Hewitt et al 1985) depending on many factors, including time of day, humidity, temperature, season etc. (NASA 2018). In general, the concentration is lowest at the poles and highest at the equator. The hydroxyl concentration created by the diffuser has been measured and calibrated to typically fall within the range of 1 to 3x106 per cm3 with a focus on 2x106 per cm3 .
Measuring hydroxyl concentration is however not easy, and so alternative technologies developed by both Leeds University Atmospheric Chemistry Group and the UK’s National Health and Safety Laboratory were used to cross check measurements during the calibration process. Detailed experimentation determined that the quantity of essential oil and ozone necessary to create the required hydroxyl concentration was fortunately very low, well below any cautionary, advisory or regulatory limits.
In fact, by employing the latest sensor technology, a Hydroxyl Diffuser is able to measure the air quality in real time and dynamically adjusts its outputs to ensure that, where pre-existing background ozone levels are found to be too high, the resultant level falls to well within all advisory and regulatory limits.
The resultant technology has been tested by independent laboratories in the UK, Canada and the USA and typical results include (PHE 2006 and 2007, BRE):
• Inactivating high concentration benchmark MS23 airborne virus in less than 5 minutes
according to Public Health England (Porton Down no less!).
• Inactivating high concentration MRSA4 on glass in 1 hour according to Public Health England.
• A simulated sneeze test with high concentration of bacteria saw a greater than 99% reduction in transmitted live bacteria after only 600mm according to BRE & IOM Stafford – the hydroxyl cascade is demonstrably so powerful that it creates a real time person to person infection shield.
And the benefits have been demonstrated to go well beyond virus, bacteria and mould inactivation. Hydroxyls also remove all odours, break down all VOCs and most other polluting gasses and damage the protein and tertiary structure of allergens so that they are no longer recognised by the body's immune system (Finlayson-Pitts 1999; Kawamoto et al 2006; Kazuo et al 2016; Martinez et al 2020, Garrison 2020)
Indoor air is typically far more polluted than outdoor air, and so it is necessary not just to replicate the necessary hydroxyl cascade indoors, but also to ensure that the resultant reactions with typical indoor pollutants don’t result in any harmful byproducts.
In terms of by-products, the world leading UK Building Research Establishment (BRE), Indoor Air Quality Group, was asked to develop a test and evaluation regime to establish the product’s safety. That regime was focussed on two principal issues; are all by-products safe at the concentration created and do any by-products accumulate over time.
BRE concluded that:
• None of the by-products, at the concentration created, either from the underlying process, nor from their reaction with any of the typical VOCs found indoors, are known to be harmful. This is the first time that such a comprehensive analysis has been carried out and involved not just the BRE but also two specialist Universities, Leeds and York, to identify each and every by-product.
• None of the by-products accumulated over time, be they particulates or VOCs, indeed most reduced over time.
Consistent test results from multiple independent laboratories suggest that the Hydroxyl Diffuser technology may be both safe and effective. When used indoors, it shows a significant potential to reduce the likelihood of harm from infections, allergens, and irritants that needs to be confirmed with further research
Airora (2023). https://www.airoa.com
BRE (2021). Test report P119878-1000
Dark, F. A., Nash, T. (1970). Comparative toxicity of various ozonized olefins to bacteria suspended in air. Journal of Hygiene PMID: 4914088
Finlayson-Pitts, B J , Pitts, J N Jr. (1999) The Chemistry of the Upper and Lower Atmosphere”. Academic Press, San Diego
Garrison, W M. (2020). Reaction mechanisms in the radiolysis of peptides, polypeptides, and proteins
Chemical Reviews 87(2): 381–398
Geyer A , Bächmann K et al. (2003) Nighttime formation of peroxy and hydroxyl radicals during the BERLIOZ campaign: Observations and modelling studies Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 108(D4)
Henderson, D. A. (2009). Smallpox: The Death of a Disease – The Inside Story of Eradicating a Worldwide Killer. Published by Prometheus Books
Hewitt, C N , Harrison, R M (1967) Tropospheric concentrations of the hydroxyl radical a review. Atmospheric Environment (1967) 19(4): 1985, Pages 545-554
Hobday, R A , Collignon, P (2022) An Old Defence Against New Infections: The Open-Air Factor and COVID-19. Cureus PMID: 35875284
Kawamoto, S., et al. (2006) Decrease in the Allergenicity of Japanese Cedar Pollen Allergen by Treatment with Positive and Negative Cluster Ions. International Archive of Allergy and Immunology 141(4)
Kazuo, N., et al. (2016). Exposure to positively and negatively charged plasma cluster ions impairs IgE binding capacity of indoor cat and fungal allergens. World Allergy Organization Journal PMID: 27660668
Martínez, V. R., Arañó, L. M. et al. (2020). Evidence of OH· radicals disinfecting indoor air and surfaces in a harmless for humans method. International Journal of Engineering Research & Science 6(4)
Mole, A. (2004) Patents 101549244, 1799330, 2415774, 8398923 and 7763206
NASA (2018) Detergent-like Molecule Recycles Itself in Atmosphere
Novoselac, A., Siegel, J. A. (2009). Impact of placement of portable air cleaning devices in multi zone residential environments Building and Environment 44 2348–2356
Perry, J L , Frederick, K R at al. (2012) A Comparison of Photocatalytic Oxidation Reactor Performance for Spacecraft Cabin Trace Contaminant Control Applications. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
PHE (2006 and 2007). Health Protection Agency Test reports 40/06 and 63/07
1. Hydroxyl Radicals OH (commonly Hydroxyls) are the second most powerful oxidising agent after fluorine. Hydroxyls are abundant in outdoor air, with a typical concentration of 2x106 per cm3 during daylight hours. They are highly reactive with a life span in the atmosphere is typically less than one second.
2. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive chemicals formed from diatomic oxygen (O2), including not just hydroxyl radicals but also peroxides, superoxide, singlet oxygen, and alpha -oxygen.
3. the US CDC has confirmed that the hydroxyl diffuser’s ability to inactivate MS-2 Coliphage means that it will destroy ALL types of pathogenic bacteria and viruses, including all those in the coronavirus family (which includes the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19). Like all coronaviruses, MS-2 is a positive sense single-stranded RNA virus but studies have shown that it is many times harder to inactivate than a coronavirus.
4. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is caused by a type of Staphylococcus bacteria that's become resistant to many antibiotics.
1. Dr Martin Wyatt, Joint Founder of Hydroxyl Technologies Ltd, Suite LP36359, 20-22 Wenlock Road, London, N1 7GU, United Kingdom
2. Stephen Pegus, Managing Director Halsto Pty Ltd, Suite 104,109 Oxford St, Bondi Junction, NSW, 2022, Australia
Contact: stephen@halsto.com.au
Len Turczynowicz1
1 Exposure Science and Health, School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia
Keywords: inhalation, exposure, peak, VOC
While fragrances have been associated with dermal sensitisation exhibiting an immune-mediated mechanism with relatively high elicitation thresholds there has been growing concern regarding inhalation exposures and adverse effects, particularly with asthmatics. Steinemann (2018) investigated the prevalence of adverse effects in asthmatics in the US (n=1127) and reported the distribution of adverse effects were respiratory problems (43.3%), migraine headaches (28.2%), and asthma attacks (27.9%) with some 63.4% of asthmatics affected by fragrance products.
In nationally representative population surveys across the United States, Australia, United Kingdom, and Sweden, Steinemann (2019) reported an average prevalence of fragrance sensitivity of 32.2% for adults (34.7%, 33.0%, 27.8%, 33.1% respectively). Commonly reported health effects included respiratory difficulties (16.7%), mucosal symptoms (13.2%), migraine headaches (12.6%), skin rashes (9.1%), and asthma attacks (7.0%). These data represent population proportions that are not insignificant.
In occupational settings, Quirce and Barranco, (2010) reported that in many cleaners, airway symptoms induced by chemicals and odours could not be explained by allergic or asthmatic reactions and suggested that sensory reactivity, a condition they termed ‘airway sensory hyper-reactivity’ was the implicating condition. Basketter and Kimber (2015) in commenting on the issue of fragrance reactions suggested that these were not sensitization reactions but acknowledged that they could not exclude non-allergic mechanisms, including “those of a psychosomatic nature and which might be termed fragrance sensitivity as distinct from true immunological sensitisation”. Johansson et al., (2010) previously investigated patients with airway symptoms induced by chemicals and odours and reported that the symptoms could not be explained by allergic or
asthmatic reactions and referred to studies such as that by Quirce and Barranco (2010) which had reported a diagnosis of ‘airway sensory hyperreactivity (SHR)’. Johansson et al., (2010) estimated a prevalence of SHR of 6% in asthmatic patients but also found no significant indication that SHR was related to either depression or anxiety as was suggested by Basketter and Kimber (2015).
While there is general debate on the respiratory mechanisms that apply, a key factor is the low threshold of response to such agents. This has been reported to be in the domain of odour thresholds with the subsequent difficulty in exposure assessment. In considering target acceptable concentrations and the concept of inhalation thresholds of toxicological concern (TTCs) we observe estimations for Cramer Class 1 compounds (see Cramer and Ford, 1978) at very low atmospheric concentrations. In the case of systemically acting non-genotoxic chemicals, inhalation TTCs of 1.5 ppb have been developed and 0.15ppb for locally acting (e.g. respiratory) chemicals (Esther et al (2010). Such concentrations imply significant difficulties in risk management.
While there is still on-going debate regarding the mechanisms that apply to such exposures, in terms of indoor exposures there remain significant problems not only in the measurement and spatial and temporal nature in assessing such exposures but also in how future management strategies can be developed.
Basketter D, and Kimber I 2015, Fragrance sensitisers: Is inhalation an allergy risk? Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 73: 897-902.
Cramer, G.M., and Ford, R.A. 1978, Estimation of Toxic Hazard – A decision tree approach. Fd. Cosmet. Toxicol. 16:255-276.
Escher, S.E., Tluczkiewicz, I., Batke, M., Bitsch, A., Melber, C., Kroese, E.D., Buist, H.E. and Mangelsdorf, I. 2010, Evaluation of inhalation TTC
values with the database RepDose. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 58: 259-274.
Johansson, A., Millqvist, E., and Bende, M. 2010, Relationship of airway sensory hyperreactivity to asthma and psychiatric morbidity. Ann. Allergy
Asthma Immunol. 105: 20-23.
Quirce S and Barranco P 2010, Cleaning agents and asthma. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 20(7): 542550.
Steinemann, A. 2018, Fragranced consumer products: effects on asthmatics. Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health 11: 3-9.
Steinemann, A. 2019, International prevalence of fragrance sensitivity. Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health 12: 891-897.
Permission to Publish
A version of this article first appeared in the Winter 2021 ACTRA Newsletter.
Turczynowicz, L1 and Maragkos, FF2
1Adelaide Exposure Science and Health, University of Adelaide
2 School of Public Health, University of Adelaide
Keywords: exposure, ultrafine, particles, health
Air pollution is one of the most significant global environmental issues and has been associated with adverse health effects including asthma, exacerbation of adverse respiratory effects, cardiovascular impacts, coronary artery atherosclerosis and cancer (Cepeda et al., 2017). Particulate matter (PM) is one of the prary air pollutants, exhibiting physical, biological, chemical, and immunological characteristics (Clifford et al., 2018). Physical characteristics have been implicated with increased cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality in communities with the key feature of exposure being high variability regarding concentration levels, composition, and chemical properties, all of which vary with climate, source, and season (Mertens et al 2020).
PM can both be directly emitted into the environment (primary source) or indirectly formed in the atmosphere (secondary source) Figure 1 provides the source distribution including primary sources, natural sources, and anthropogenic sources. Natural sources can include but are not limited to volcanic eruptions, forest fires, run-off, and marine aerosols while anthropogenic sources include combustion emissions from industry and traffic. Ultrafine particles (UFP) derive from a combination of both natural sources and anthropogenic sources with the leading origins of UFP, being anthropogenic sources (Moreno-Ríos et.al 2022).
less (100nm or less) and are considered prevalent within our environment (Bertolatti and Rumchev, 2009). Note that nanoparticles (NP), are similar to ultrafine particles in being particles with diameters between 0.001 and 0.1 μm, but they are humanengineered particles typically with specific intended purposes such as nanotubes and nanofibers. In contrast to other particulates that are based on aerodynamic diameter and gravimetric capture, UFP are measured as a count per unit volume, e.g., 103 per cm3).
Compared with larger particles, ultrafines have a larger respected surface area per unit mass which allows for greater adsorption of toxic chemicals (Oberdorster, 2001). Due to their size, (Figure 2) they are able to readily pass through the epithelium and incorporate an elevated proportion of organic matter and metals resulting in high oxidation potential (Li et al 2009; Delfino et al 2005).
Ultrafine particles are defined as those with an aerodynamic diameter of 0.1 micrometres (µm) or
After their formation, UFPs can remain in the air for a longer time than larger particles, also allowing them to travel larger distances. These characteristics result in a greater environmental and occupational distribution with concurrent greater exposure potential. This is further exacerbated by deeper lung penetration (Figure 3) and subsequent greater toxicity with potential translocation to all organs of the body (Oberdorster, 2001).
The literature presents a range of data and information pertaining to fine (PM2.5) particulate impacts, however, it further identifies that differentiating the influence of the UFP component on the adverse outcomes associated with PM2.5 is problematic. Diaz et al (2019) in their review, suggest that strong and consistent animal evidence indicates UFP exposure is associated with adverse health effects, including neurological effects, however, in terms of human impacts the “evidence on health effects in humans associated with UFP exposure remains inconclusive or insufficient for most health outcomes.” (p12). They further suggest areas of targeted research should include the following:
While there has been extensive research undertaken on PM2.5 and PM10 fine particulates, this contrasts with the case of UFP, where research has not been as comprehensive and residual methodological problems are prevalent. The body of epidemiological literature on the relationship between health and UFP exposure is limited but growing. Increasing evidence suggests UFP exposure can cause adverse health outcomes, however, it is not clear whether short- and long-term UFP exposure in humans can induce adverse health effects to the same extent as those observed in animals where most of the research has been undertaken with nanoparticles (Diaz et al 2019).
Respiratory effects following short-term UFP exposures at high concentrations have included the induction of airway inflammation and enhancement of allergic responses. Studies show inconsistent results, with some studies reporting associations with UFP exposure (HEI, 2013).
In 2009 the US EPA determined that the evidence suggested a causal relationship between short-term exposure to UFPs, and respiratory and cardiovascular effects (US EPA, 2009). Four years later, The Health Effects Institute (HEI, 2013) determined that epidemiologic findings provided suggestive evidence of short-term exposure to ambient UFPs on acute mortality and morbidity from respiratory and cardiovascular disease. However, findings from epidemiological studies examining exposures to ambient UFP have not been consistent (Aguilera et al 2016; Viehmann et al 2015; Chung et al 2015; Kubesch et al 2014; Liu et al 2014). As further research is undertaken it is expected that improved resolution of these findings will become evident particularly as overall improvements in exposure assessment occur.
• “To identify key characteristics that induce toxicity such as particle number concentration, chemical composition, and surface area.
• To identify whether translocation beyond the lung occurs in humans.
• To seek to include UFP air monitoring across the country as part of NAAQS.
• To determine parameters for identifying variability in the spatial-temporal distribution of UFPs” and
• “To identify standardized methods for measuring UFP exposure and conduct controlled investigations that adjust for measured co-pollutants.” (p12). As research across these sectors is undertaken, methodological structure to better inform the spatial and temporal variability of ambient UFP exposures is anticipated. Combining these elements of exposure science with robust epidemiological designs may then enlighten the early concerns of associated adverse cardiovascular and neurological impacts.
Aguilera I, Dratva J, Caviezel S, Burdet L, de Groot E, Ducret-Stich RE, Eeftens M, Keidel D, Meier R, Perez L, Rothe T, Schaffner E, Schmit-Trucksäss A, Tsai MY, Schindler C, Künzli N, Probst-Hensch N. 2016, ‘Particulate Matter and Subclinical Atherosclerosis: Associations between Different Particle Sizes and Sources with Carotid IntimaMedia Thickness in the SAPALDIA Study’. Environ Health Perspect. 124(11):1700-1706.
Bertolatti D, and Rumchev K 2009, ‘Size distribution and elemental composition of ultrafine and nanoparticles’. 5th International Conference on Impact of Environmental Factors on Health, Wessex Inst Technol, New Forest Campus, New Forest, England. pp47-54.
Cepeda M, Schoufour J, Freak-Poli R, Koolhaas CM, Dhana K, Bramer WM, and Franco OH 2017, ‘Levels of ambient air pollution according to mode of transport: a systematic review’ Lancet Public Health 2: e23-34.
Chung M, Wang DD, Rizzo AM, Gachette D, Delnord M, Parambi R, Kang CM, Brugge D 2015, ‘Association of PNC, BC, and PM2.5 measured at a central monitoring site with blood pressure in a near highway population’ Int J Environ Res Public Health 3;12(3):2765-80.
Clifford S, Mazaheri M, Salimi, F., Ezz WN, Yeganeh B, Low-Choy S, Walker K, Mengersen K, Marks GB, and Morawska L 2018, ‘Effects of exposure to ambient ultrafine particles on respiratory health and systemic inflammation in children’. Environ Int, 114, 167-180.
Delfino RJ, Sioutas C and Malik S 2005, ‘Potential Role of Ultrafine Particles in Associations between Airborne Particle Mass and Cardiovascular Health’ Environ Health Perspect 113 (8): 934946.
Diaz E, Mariën K, Lillian Manahan L, and Fox J 2019, ‘Summary of health research on ultrafine particles’. Washington State Department of Health. 334-454
Guarieiro LLN and Guarieiro ALN 2013, ‘Vehicle Emissions: What Will Change with Use of Biofuel?’
In: Fang Z (ed) Biofuels - Economy, Environment and Sustainability. InterTechOpen.
Health Effects Institute (HEI) 2013, ‘Review Panel on Ultrafine Particles, Understanding the Health Effects of Ambient Ultrafine Particles’ HEI Perspectives 3. Health Effects Institute: Boston, MA.
Kubesch N, De Nazelle A, Guerra S, Westerdahl D, Martinez D, Bouso L, Carrasco-Turigas G, Hoffmann B, Nieuwenhuijsen MJ 2015, ‘Arterial blood pressure responses to short-term exposure to low and high traffic-related air pollution with and without moderate physical activity’ Eur J Prev Cardiol 22(5):548-57.
Li N, Wang M, Bramble LA, Schmitz DA, Schauer JJ, Sioutas C, Harkema JR and Andre E. Nel AE 2009, ‘The Adjuvant Effect of Ambient Particulate Matter Is Closely Reflected by the Particulate Oxidant Potential’ Environ Health Perspect 117 (7): 934946.
Liu L, Kauri LM, Mahmud M, Weichenthal S, Cakmak S, Shutt R, You H, Thomson E, Vincent R, Kumarathasan P, Broad G, Dales R 2014), ‘Exposure to air pollution near a steel plant and effects on cardiovascular physiology: a randomized crossover study’ Int J Hyg Environ Health 217(2-3):279-286.
Mertens J, Lepaumier H, Rogiers P, Desagher D, Goosens L, Duterque A, LeCadre E, Zarea M, Blondeau J and Webber M 2020, ‘Fine and ultrafine particle number and size measurements from industrial combustion processes: Primary emissions field data’ Atmospheric Pollution Research 11, 803-814.
Moreno-Ríos AL, Tejeda-Benitez LP and BustilloLecompte CF 2022, ‘Sources, characteristics, toxicity, and control of ultrafine particles: An overview’ Geoscience Frontiers, 13, 101147.
Oberdorster G 2001, ‘Pulmonary effects of inhaled ultrafine particles’ International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 74, 1-8.
United States Environment Protection Agency (US EPA) 2009, ‘Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Particulate Matter’. Available https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/risk/recordisplay.cfm? deid=216546.> Accessed 15/11/2022.
United States Environment Protection Agency (US EPA) 2022, ‘Particulate matter (PM) Pollution. Particulate Matter (PM) Basics’. Available https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/particulatematter-pmbasics#:~:text=Some%20are%20emitted%20dire ctly%20from,power%20plants%2C%20industries %20and%20automobiles. Accessed 15/11/2022.
Viehmann A, Hertel S, Fuks K, Eisele L, Moebus S, Möhlenkamp S, Nonnemacher M, Jakobs H, Erbel R, Jöckel KH, Hoffmann B; Heinz Nixdorf Recall Investigator Group 2015, ‘Long-term residential exposure to urban air pollution, and repeated measures of systemic blood markers of inflammation and coagulation’ Occup Environ Med 72(9):656-63.
A version of this article first appeared in the Summer 2023 ACTRA Newsletter.
on outcomes for clients and leading collaborative research programs with national and international government agencies and industry partners. We can assist you with research and training and can direct you to associates who provide unique consulting services.
Adelaide Exposure Science and Health (AESH) offers a diverse range of field and laboratory-based research, and education and training services to industry, government, and the community. We are staffed by experienced research staff, including occupational hygienists and exposure scientists with wide ranging expertise across scientific disciplines.
Adelaide Exposure Science and Health is at the forefront of occupational and environmental health practice in Australia and recognised nationally and internationally as leaders in academic research, specialist training and consulting in the field. Our specialised facility is cutting edge, but our core strength lies within the diversity of our people. Our staff are exceptional in their ability to apply many years of experience in the field of exposure science and health to current and topical issues in occupational and environmental settings. We have a track record of both delivering
Having been founded in 1987 and formerly called the Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Laboratory we are currently located at the Thebarton research campus where we operate within the University of Adelaide’s School of Public Health. AESH are part of the wider Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences group, whose research is focused on epidemiology, infectious and communicable disease, ergonomics, occupational and environmental medicine, occupational and environmental exposure science, and climate change. We also host a Climate Change Adaptation Network for vulnerable communities and have built strong national and international relationships.
We work with many professional groups and agencies such as The Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH); The Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine; The Australasian College of Toxicology and Risk Assessment (ACTRA); The Safety Institute of Australia ; SA Health ; SafeWork SA; Safe Work Australia and the SA Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
A CASANZ membership ensures you are equipped with the latest knowledge and developments in the air quality industry to help your business and career flourish. Membership offers a range of benefits, from access to 7 Special Industry Groups focused on key air quality areas, regular networking opportunities as well as discounts across all CASANZ industry specific training courses, webinars and events.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Director, Associate Professor Sharyn Gaskin at sharyn.gaskin@ adelaide.edu.au Name
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Today is the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies and, thankfully, Perth’s air quality compares favourably to other cities in Australia and around the world. Last updated: 7 September 2023
CSIRO STUDY: HEPA FILTERS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR IN BUSHFIRE SEASON - 31 JULY 2023
Researchers have shown that portable air cleaners, otherwise known as air purifiers, fitted with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters substantially improve air quality during prescribed burn events.
Portable air purifiers fitted with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can substantially improve indoor air quality during bushfire events, according to new research from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency.
Published today in Public Health Research & Practice, researchers found that HEPA filters have potential, when used appropriately, to substantially improve indoor air quality by 30–74 per cent during smoke episodes caused by prescribed burns.
The full article can be found on CSIRO website
Perth, and other areas of the state, occasionally experience episodes of poor air quality owing to a range of factors including smoke from bushfires, prescribed burns, domestic wood heaters, dust storms, emissions from nearby industry, emissions from vehicles, odourous activities and elevated pollen levels arising from extreme meteorological events.
It is important to maintain a clear focus on the continual improvement of our air quality.
The United Nations has called attention to the severe detrimental impacts of air pollution on human health, climate, biodiversity and ecosystems, and quality of life in general. As we share and breathe the same air, thus, everyone will have a responsibility to protect our atmosphere and ensure we can all enjoy healthy air.
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) monitors air quality and emissions in Western Australia through several networks of monitoring stations, utilising advanced equipment and data analysis techniques to obtain information regarding the state of the air environment in the area.
DWER’s air quality team provides specialist knowledge and expertise to the department, with air quality staff continuously progressing their skills and integrating new technologies and data analysis methods. This helps the department to claim its role as a modern regulator, using data-based evidence to support decision making. Learn more about our work: Air quality
DWER is leveraging machine learning to enhance our understanding and predictions and the way we handle this data is crucial.
Proper handling of time series data and avoiding pitfalls like data leakage, paves the way for more precise and trustworthy forecasts. It’s not merely about possessing the data but managing it adeptly.
Machine learning offers a unique lens to forecast and scrutinise air quality trends. By inputting historical data, these models can forecast air quality for coming days, assisting governments in timely advisories, industries in emission control, and communities in outdoor activity planning.
DWER chairs the Air Quality Coordinating Committee, which oversees the Perth Air Quality Management plan that aims to ensure that clean air is achieved and maintained throughout the Perth metropolitan region. To learn more go to: Perth Air Quality Coordinating Committee
EPA LAUNCHES THE BUST THE DUST CAMPAIGN - 14 SEPTEMBER 2023
Coal mines in the Hunter region are again on notice as NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) officers head out to monitor air quality as part of its ongoing Bust the Dust campaign conducted over drier weather months.
For the full article
ILLEGAL BURN OFF REPORTS ON THE RISE - 14 SEPTEMBER 2023
Illegal burn offs of industrial waste including treated timber, plastics and tyres appears to be on the rise, according to Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA).
EPA Executive Director Operations Mark Rossiter says the number of reports for 2023 (88) is already above the two-year (2021 and 2022) average of 84.
For the full article
Nearly twice as many illegal burn off reports to September 2023 than for the whole of 2022. In August 2023 alone, the southwest regional officers were referred to five instances of burning of waste, including a backyard burn of old mattresses as well as farms burning silage wrap, emitting toxic smoke.
Earlier this year a South Geelong company was fined more than $5,000 for burning treated timber, plaster, PVC pipe, and glass on a worksite. For more information go to Smoky South Geelong fire costs a company $5500 | Environment Protection Authority Victoria (epa.vic.gov.au).
In the state’s north west, EPA issued an alert following an alarming number of cases of illegal burn offs at agricultural businesses. For more go to https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/about-epa/news-media-andupdates/media-releases-and-news/illegal-burnoffs-cause-concernin-northwest-victoria
A Benalla company was fined $5,548 for illegal deposit of industrial waste burnt on their premises.
A company in the Shepparton area was storing organic waste on their site without approval. The waste self-combusted, resulting in air pollution and human health risks to residents in the surrounding area; while a potentially illegal fire that led to injuries to several people including children, in Nagambie on Sunday 10 September 2023 is being investigated by Victoria Police.
A farmer was fined more than $1,000 for burning tyres at his Tyres property in July. For more go to https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/aboutepa/news-media-and-updates/media-releases-and-news/farmerfined-for-burning-tyres-at-tyers
In the north metropolitan region, EPA recently fined a Mickleham man $5,000 for burning off plastics. For more go to https://www.epa. vic.gov.au/about-epa/news-media-and-updates/media-releasesand-news/burning-waste-ends-with-a-$5000-court-case
A garden supply company in EPA’s south metropolitan region should have been disposing of waste to a licensed landfill but instead heaped the waste into piles before lighting a bonfire. EPA is considering enforcement action for burning industrial waste in accordance with our Compliance and Enforcement Policy.
In another case, a man was fined nearly $2,000 for illegally burning industrial waste in Narre Warren. For more information go to https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/about-epa/news-media-and-updates/ media-releases-and-news/fine-for-illegal-burn-off
SBI Landfill Pty Ltd has been hit with $9,246 fine after the company failed to immediately notify EPA Victoria of equipment failure at its Cranbourne site in July.
For more information go to https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/forcommunity/incidents/sbi-inert-landfill
Recent inspections in South Dandenong have identified several sites potentially responsible for creating odours that have plagued the area.
For more information, visit /www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-business/ find-a-topic/odour/advice-for-businesses/control-details/effectiveodour-capture-system
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EPA’S REVISED GHG GUIDANCE FLAGS DEEP AND SUBSTANTIAL CUTS - APRIL 5, 2023
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has updated its greenhouse gas guidance to minimise the risk of environmental harm to Western Australia’s environment associated with climate change.
The guidance, first published in April 2020 has been updated to take into account up to date climate science, law and policy, and to reflect the EPA’s view that deep and substantial emission reductions are needed this decade, as well as achievement of net zero by 2050.
For further information
EPA APPROVES FIRST METHANE INHIBITOR IN NEW ZEALAND - 10 AUGUST 2023
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has approved a feed additive to reduce methane emissions in livestock.
DSM Nutritional Products Ltd (DSM) applied to import or manufacture a substance containing 10-25% of 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) — a chemical that is new to Aotearoa New Zealand.
DSM says 3-NOP can reduce methane emissions from ruminant animals, including cows, sheep and goats, by 30 percent.
For the full article please refer to http://www.niwa.co.nz/news
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Media Release
5 September 2023
NIWA scientists are predicting that this year’s ozone hole will stay around for longer than usual, potentially lasting into early summer.
NIWA’s Principal Scientist - Atmosphere and Climate, Dr Olaf Morgenstern, says this is largely due to a combination of climate change and the 2022 Tonga volcanic eruption.
“Hunga-Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai blasted an astonishing amount of water into our atmosphere. In fact, we are seeing around 10% more water vapour than usual. Water vapour is a greenhouse gas that causes cooling of the stratosphere and enhances depletion of ozone by forming clouds above Antarctica.
“Additionally, the stratosphere is very sensitive to changes in temperature, with climate change causing a long-term cooling trend. This may be contributing to the cold and stable conditions we are presently seeing,” said Dr Morgenstern.
The Antarctic ozone hole typically reaches its greatest extent in September or October and disappears in November or December. However, there were signs that the ozone hole could have formed earlier this year.
Dr Richard Querel is a NIWA atmospheric scientist based in Lauder, Central Otago. He says NIWA is measuring the chemistry in the atmosphere to understand what exactly is going on.
“We are working with others such as NASA and Antarctica NZ to see how the make-up of the atmosphere is reacting. We have balloon launches planned in Antarctica to take further
measurements, which we will combine with NASA’s satellite data.
“We will use this information to see how things such as the Tonga eruption may be influencing the ozone hole, which has been recovering ever since we introduced the 1987 Montreal protocol to ban human-produced ozone-depleting chemicals like CFCs,” said Dr Querel.
Ozone molecules absorb ultraviolet radiation from the sun, acting like sunscreen for life on Earth. Too much UV can cause problems such as skin damage and a fall in ocean phytoplankton, which can impact the food chain.
Author: Jessica Rowley Senior Media Advisorhttp://english.mep.gov.cn/News_service/news_release/ (not working)
http://cleanairasia.org/news/ (not working)
https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/air-pollution-nowmajor-risk-life-expectancy-south-asia-study-2023-08-29/ Air pollution now a major risk to life expectancy in South Asia –study Reuters
hunger, poverty and ill-health, improve access to clean water and energy and many other aspects of sustainable development, according to a new multi-agency report coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
For the full article
The Climate Ambition Summit has increased political and financial commitment to the Secretary-General’s US$3.1 billion initiative to ensure that everyone on Earth is protected by life-saving early warning systems in the face of increasingly more extreme and dangerous weather.
New funding announcements and declarations of support were made during high level events at the UN General Assembly – coinciding with practical action to rollout the Early Warnings for All initiative on the ground. The catastrophic flooding in Libya highlighted the urgency of end-to-end early warnings.
For further information Climate Ambition Sumit 2023
People sit on a rail track as smoke rises from steel mills near a slum in Dhaka, Bangladesh, August 29, 2023. REUTERS/ Mohammad Ponir Hossain Acquire Licensing Rights
NEW DELHI, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Rising air pollution can cut life expectancy by more than five years per person in South Asia, one of the world’s most polluted regions, according to a report published on Tuesday which flagged the growing burden of hazardous air on health.
The region, which includes the world’s most polluted countries of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, accounts for more than half of the total life years lost globally to pollution, the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute (EPIC) said in its latest Air Quality Life Index.
https://epa.govt.nz/news-and-alerts/latest-news/
http://www.unep.org/NEWSCENTRE/?doctypeID=1
Geneva, 14 September 2023 – At the half-time point of the 2030 Agenda, the science is clear – the planet is far off track from meeting its climate goals. This undermines global efforts to tackle
LONG-LASTING
Multiyear La Niña events have become more common over the last 100 years, according to a new study led by University of Hawai‘i (UH) at Mānoa atmospheric scientist Bin Wang.
Multiyear La Niña events have become more common over the last 100 years, according to a new study led by University of Hawai‘i (UH) at Mānoa atmospheric scientist Bin Wang. Five out of six La Niña events since 1998 have lasted more than one year, including an unprecedented triple-year event. The study was published this week in Nature Climate Change.
For the full article
For many communities, pollution has long been an unwelcome fellow resident, rearing its invisible head on particularly hot days or when nearby businesses are especially busy. And even though residents have a pretty good idea of its sources–industrial sites, idle trucks at warehouses, or busy freeways–they’ve lacked the scientific tools to pinpoint its point of origin.
Air Tracker is changing that. EDF and our partners have created a new online tool — run on real-time, trusted scientific models — combining air pollution and weather forecasting data to help users learn more about the air they’re breathing and allow them to see where it’s coming from.
Air Tracker users can drop a pin on the map and learn the likeliest source area of the air they’re breathing. The tool is currently available for Houston, Salt Lake City, Pittsburgh, Birmingham, AL and Vallejo, CA.
Refer https://globalcleanair.org/air-tracker/map/
EPA PROPOSES TO STRENGTHEN 2020 AIR TOXICS REGULATION TO PREVENT EMISSIONS INCREASES AND PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH - SEPTEMBER 22, 2023
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to strengthen a 2020 Clean Air Act rule by ensuring industrial facilities that emit large amounts of hazardous air pollution cannot increase emissions when reclassifying from a “major source” of emissions to an “area source.” The proposed amendments to the “Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources Under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act” rule would require those sources that choose to reclassify from major source status to area source status to establish federally enforceable permit conditions that will better protect public health from hazardous air pollution.
For the full article.
Funding assistance program targets heavy-duty small fleets to help in transition toward zero-emissions.
SACRAMENTO – The California Air Resources Board (CARB) today announced the opening of this year’s Innovative Small E-Fleet (ISEF) voucher incentive set-aside, which will offer $83 million in assistance for small fleets transitioning to cleaner vehicles. The funding assistance program is part of the state’s Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive program (HVIP) and will open for voucher requests starting today (Aug. 30).
For the full article
People commute along a street amid smoggy conditions in Lahore, Pakistan; South Asia is the global epicentre of an air pollution crisis, a scientific report says. (File photo: AFP/Arif Ali)
29 Aug 2023 12:57PM
WASHINGTON: Air pollution is more dangerous to the health of the average person on planet Earth than smoking or alcohol, with the threat worsening in its global epicentre South Asia even as China fast improves, a study showed on Tuesday (Aug 29).
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14-16 November 2023, Durham, North Carolina, USA
The Air Quality Measurement – Methods and Technology 2023 Conference is held by the Air AND Waste Management Association and aims to explore the latest advances in measurement technology, quality assurance and data uses. The conference provides extensive coverage of all aspects of air measurement methodologies, including associated quality assurance protocols and how to use and interpret data. Sessions will also focus on the assessment of key substances of concern for humans and the environment, including criteria pollutants, greenhouse gases, and air toxics.
Deadline for abstracts closed on 9th of June. Online registrations will be open soon.
https://www.awma.org/measurementsregistration
14-15 November 2023, Online
This two day online symposium will present considerations to influence change across Australia and New Zealand, necessary to advance the transition to sustainable transport. Featuring a range of international and local speakers, this symposium will address three key questions:
1. What are the opportunities for rapid transition to sustainable transport?
2. What are the benefits of a rapid transition to sustainable transport?
3. How do we achieve the behavioural changes needed to influence the rapid transition to sustainable transport? Click here for more information.
21-22 January, 2024, London, United Kingdom
• Ecosystems, Atmosphere, Environment, Human and Earth Systems
• Dynamic processes in the land-atmosphere-society continuum
• High latitudes and developing countries.
• Multidisciplinary observations and modelling of landatmosphere-society interactions
• Land, ecosystem and atmosphere in the human-Earth system
• Sustainable management of human-dominated environments.
Submit Your Paper
https://waset.org/air-quality-health-and-atmosphereconference-in-january-2024-in-london
19 February to 1 March 2024
Presented over two weeks, AIR TALKS 2024 has each Special Interest Group focus on a theme with the aim to advance knowledge within each specialised area while addressing current air quality issues in Australia and New Zealand. AIR TALKS seeks to explore relevant topics and emerging challenges, fostering thoughtful and stimulating discussions and offering practical takeaways.
https://www.casanz.org.au/
22-23 March 2024, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The International Research Conference is a federated organization
dedicated to bringing together a significant number of diverse scholarly events for presentation within the conference program Events will run over a span of time during the conference depending on the number and length of the presentations. With its high quality, it provides an exceptional value for students, academics and industry researchers.
International Conference on Methods for Assessing Urban Air Quality aims to bring together leading academic scientists, researchers and research scholars to exchange and share their experiences and research results on all aspects of Methods for Assessing Urban Air Quality. It also provides a premier interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners and educators to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, and concerns as well as practical challenges encountered and solutions adopted in the fields of Methods for Assessing Urban Air Quality.
Submit Your Paper
https://waset.org/methods-for-assessing-urban-air-qualityconference-in-march-2024-in-dubai
July 7-11, 2024, 2024 Honolulu, Hawaii
Indoor Air 2024 marks the 18th international conference held by the International Society of Indoor Air Quality & Climate (ISIAQ). The conference will continue the IA Conference Series with a multidisciplinary and holistic view on Indoor Air Science with the theme Sustaining the Indoor Air Revolution: Raise Your Impact.
Abstract and workshop submissions open 1 September 2023. Early bird conference registration opens 1 December 2023.
25-28 August 2024, Hobart, Australia
The 27th International Clean Air and Environment Conference held by CASANZ will have the theme Healthy Air for All? Responding to a changing environment.
CASANZ is forming a Scientific Committee to help organise the Conference. Call for abstracts and registrations to be announced closer to the conference date.
https://www.casanz.org.au/
26-28 August 2024, Hobart, Australia
The 10th IWA Odours and Volatile Emmission Conference will run in parallel with the Clear Air Conference 2024. For further information please contact CASANZ at admin@casanz.org.au. https://odourconference2024.com/
October 2024
The World Health Organization (WHO) will host the second ever Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health in Accra in October 2024. Announced during the World Health Assembly (WHA), the 2024 conference marks a significant step forward in tackling air pollution as a public health issue.
99% of the world breathes unhealthy air. From affecting the development of vital organs in unborn babies to cognitive decline in older age, poor air quality impacts every stage of life. The 2024 conference is an opportunity to spearhead critical conversations and action on air quality and public health.
The conference will build on key learnings from the WHO’s inaugural global air pollution and health conference in 2018, which focused on issues such as noncommunicable diseases and climate change.
