The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) has undertaken a variety of air quality investigations over the past five years in the Wagerup region.
In 2007, the program has six main components:
- The Community Air Sampling Program and of the use of log books to record notable air quality events.
- The investigation of ambient air quality via monitoring stations installed in the Yarloop and Cookernup areas. These will primarily target a range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other inorganic gases.
- Monitoring of airborne dust concentration levels for both analysis and variation with time at various sites.
- Further studies to monitor the atmospheric temperature profile and wind behaviour in the first 600 metres above ground level.
- Further advanced meteorological investigations and plume movement and dispersion studies using a Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar) system. The 2006 preliminary Lidar results are available in the 2007 documents/reports section below.
- The collected information from this year together with the findings from analysis of the 2006 data will be used to plan further major field studies in 2008.
The program is being conducted with assistance from local and international researchers and laboratories. The investigations are independent of industry and will help government, industry and the community resolve remaining uncertainties.
DEC is committed to regularly communicating the results of the air monitoring studies with the local community and stakeholder groups.
Wagerup Community Air Sampling Program
The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is continuing to conduct a Community Air Sampling (canister) Program in partnership with the local community in the Wagerup area. Canisters can be used any time a participant is concerned about air quality and is an important way to capture data at relevant times.
The program is part of a larger DEC air quality study that will build on previous DEC monitoring in the area.
An information brochure was sent to residents of Yarloop, Waroona, Cookernup and surrounding districts in May 2006 inviting participation and feedback on the program. Information sessions were then held in Yarloop and Waroona in June to further explain the program and to invite participation and feedback. The posters that were on display at the sessions are available in the 2006 documents/reports section below.
Following the information sessions, DEC assessed the geographical locations of the 60 residents who registered to participate in the sampling program to select a representative spread of locations for canister sampling. A total of 32 canisters were distributed to residents of Yarloop, Waroona, Cookernup and surrounding areas by DEC during July and August. The first results of the 2006 program were made publicly available in November 2006 and the reports can be found below in the 2006 documents/reports section.
For more information, please contact the department by phoning 9334 0333 or email us on airquality@dec.wa.gov.au.
Get the 2007 report and posters.
Get the 2006 documents and reports.
Get the media statement.
