Monitoring the environment

Mooroolbark 2007–08 air monitoring results



What and where we monitored

Monitoring dates: February 2007 to January 2008.

Air toxics monitored: Benzo(a)pyrene.

Sampling frequency: 24-hour samples once every six days.

Number of samples analysed: Benzo(a)pyrene: 60

Location: EPA Mooroolbark air monitoring station, Balcombe Avenue, Mooroolbark.

Results of monitoring

Benzo(a)pyrene was monitored in a residential area in Mooroolbark. Benzo(a)pyrene is a marker for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) which are commonly associated with combustion sources.

The average concentration of benzo(a)pyrene remained below the health based monitoring investigation level, with most samples recording levels below the chemical analysis detection limit. Detectable levels of benzo(a)pyrene were measured on a number of days during colder weather. This was expected because:

  • wood heaters are used more during winter
  • polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from combustion sources form more readily when the ambient temperature is low
  • there is generally less dispersion of pollutants in winter due to lower winds.

24 hour results

Sample date Benzo(a)pyrene (ng/m3)
Annual investigation level 0.3
24-hour investigation level Not applicable

Annual average

0.1
03-Feb-07 Not detected
09-Feb-07 Not detected
15-Feb-07 Not detected
21-Feb-07 Not detected
27-Feb-07 Not detected
05-Mar-07 Not detected
11-Mar-07 Not detected
17-Mar-07 Not detected
23-Mar-07 Not sampled
29-Mar-07 Not detected
04-Mar-07 Not detected
10-Mar-07 Not detected
16-Apr-07 Not detected
22-Apr-07 Not detected
28-Apr-07 0.2
04-May-07 Not detected
10-May-07 Not detected
16-May-07 Not detected
22-May-07 Not detected
28-May-07 Not detected
03-Jun-07 0.6
09-Jun-07 Not detected
15-Jun-07 1.1
21-Jun-07 0.3
27-Jun-07 Not detected
03-Jul-07 Not detected
09-Jul-07 Not detected
15-Jul-07 0.4
21-Jul-07 0.3
27-Jul-07 Not detected
02-Aug-07 Not detected
08-Aug-07 Not detected
14-Aug-07 Not detected
20-Aug-07 0.3
26-Aug-07 Not detected
01-Sep-07 Not detected
07-Sep-07 Not detected
13-Sep-07 Not detected
19-Sep-07 Not detected
25-Sep-07 Not detected
01-Oct-07 Not detected
07-Oct-07 Not detected
13-Oct-07 Not detected
19-Oct-07 Not detected
23-Oct-07 Not detected
31-Oct-07 Not detected
06-Nov-07 Not detected
12-Nov-07 Not detected
18-Nov-07 Not detected
24-Nov-07 Not detected
30-Nov-07 Not detected
06-Dec-07 Not detected
12-Dec-07 Not detected
18-Dec-07 Not detected
24-Dec-07 Not detected
30-Dec-07 Not detected
05-Jan-08 Not detected
11-Jan-08 Not detected
17-Jan-08 Not detected
23-Jan-08 Not detected
29-Jan-08 Not detected

Not applicable: A 24-hour investigation level is not specified for benzo(a)pyrene.

Not detected: Air toxic was below measurable levels.

ng/m3: nanograms per cubic metre (1 billionth of a gram per cubic metre)

Detection limits

Compound Benzo(a)pyrene (ng/m3)
Detection limit 0.2

Page last updated on 15 Mar 2014