SUMMERNATS AIR QUALITY REPORT RELEASED

A report into air quality at the 2010 Summernats car festival has revealed air quality levels are within national guidelines, Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water, Simon Corbell, announced today.

"Summernats attracts thousands of people and cars to Canberra and provides a wealth of social and economic opportunities for Canberrans," Mr Corbell said.

"However some of the popular activities, such as the burnouts and parades, can introduce a range of particles into the atmosphere.

"I am pleased to see that data on air quality taken during the 2010 Summernats event and the following weekend showed, on both occasions, the quality of the air was acceptable and well within the National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) guideline for ambient air quality."

The testing was commissioned by the Environment Protection Authority to determine if concentrations of atmospheric particulate matter measuring less than 10 micrograms (μg) in diameter (PM10) of the NEPM 50 μg m-3 over a 24‑hour period guideline.

The air quality was acceptable on both weekends, and while the PM10 concentrations were higher on the weekend of Summernats, the results were within national guidelines and should allay concerns about air quality for those residents who live near Exhibition Park, where the event is held.

"We know there have been concerns about the quality of air during Summernats and this report should put those concerns to rest," Mr Corbell said.

The report was commissioned following a recommendation by the ACT Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Climate Change, Environment and Water recommended in their report on Annual and Financial reports 2007-2008. A copy is available to view at http://www.environment.act.gov.au/.

Media Contact:

Patrick Cronan 6205 0401 0432 758 224 patrick.cronan@act.gov.au