Initiative 11 of the Perth Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) addresses the issue of Cleaner Production, specifically
focussing on reducing the atmospheric emissions from Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Small businesses are those employing
1-20 people and medium businesses those employing 20-200 people. SMEs cover a wide variety of activities, from carpet
cleaners to bakeries to panel beaters. They are often located in close proximity to residential areas and with Perth's
expected growth this will only increase.
It is thought that non-polar
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) make up the bulk of emissions from SMEs and that SMEs contribute significant air
emissions locally that may be responsible for subsequent public and environmental health concerns. There is also a
presumption that the main industries of concern involve cars (such as spray painters and panel beaters), industrial
degreasers, welders and drycleaners. There is currently inadequate data to verify or disprove these beliefs. As a large
number of SMEs are not licensed premises the Department of Environment has little information on the type or amount of
emissions SMEs generate, or on their type, number and location.
This project is one of four being implemented under the Cleaner Production Initiative of the Perth AQMP, and will
complement the
Background Air Quality (Air Toxics) Study currently underway.
The SME Air Emissions Monitoring Project is occurring in partnership with the
Swan Catchment Council,
with funding from the Natural Heritage Trust.
Study Aims
The aims of this study are to:
- gather data on the emissions of SMEs in areas where a variety of SMEs exist and where a residential
population occurs nearby and
- determine if the SME industrial areas contribute significant levels of air emissions that may be of concern to public
health.
Pollutants to be Measured
Passive samplers are being used for this study. These are samplers which do not need a power supply. The samplers are
analysed for non-polar VOCs. This includes, amongst other substances, common industrial solvents, petroleum aromatics and
aliphatics and natural product emissions from wood.
Further Information
Further information on this study can be found by clicking on the toolbar items at the top of this page. Other information
on this study may be obtained by emailing the
Air Quality Management Branch
of the Department of Environment.
