Submission
A submission to the Productivity Commission's 'Australia's Productivity Pitch' inquiry. Airborne viruses, bacteria, aeroallergens, gases and fine particulates are a significant but avoidable burden on productivity. Poor air quality increases rates of worker absenteeism and increases demand on the health system. Over time, air pollution increases the number of years of life Australians spend with chronic diseases and disabilities. Real-time environmental data regarding air quality can reduce exposure to unsafe air, greatly increasing productivity.
We support the Draft Policy which, if implemented, will mean new applications to install solid fuel heaters (commonly referred to as wood heaters) will not be approved in urban areas of the Queanbeyan-Palerang Local Government Area (LGA), and enforcement action can be taken against unapproved wood heaters.
There is now well-established evidence of the harm of transport emissions on health. In our response to the questions posed in the Roadmap, we outline the benefits and importance of including health co-costs and co-benefits in the transition to zero carbon
As the climate gets hotter and extreme weather events become more common, the health impacts associated with air pollution are expected to increase. More frequent and intense bushfires will result in increased particulate matter (PM) air pollution, emergency department attendances and health costs. Hotter temperatures are predicted to increase the concentration of aeroallergens (i.e., pollens), particulate matter air pollution, and other air pollutants such as fungi, mould, and windblown dust, with associated increased health burden. High temperatures and bushfires often coincide, producing a synergistic negative effect on health outcomes. Climate change is also expected to increase ground-level ozone, which is associated with a range of health issues including reduced lung function and increased hospital presentations and admission for asthma.
The home environment is crucial for health and wellbeing. People inhale 11,000 litres of air per day on average, mostly inside homes. Even small amounts of air pollution in the home environment can have a significant impact on health. Moreover, the people who are most vulnerable to air pollution (children, older adults and people with disabilities) spend a greater proportion of time indoors where they are exposed to a number of hazards relating to heating and cooking appliances, sealing and ventilation. As such, enhancing minimum rental standards presents a major opportunity to improve air quality in rental properties and consequently the health of renters.
The Centre for Safe Air and Asthma Australia welcome the opportunity to provide a submission to the inquiry into the transition to electric vehicles by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (the Committee). Our joint submission addresses the Terms of Reference (TOR) most relevant to our shared interest in improving population health outcomes associated with airborne hazards. We note that the TOR did not explicitly include the health or wellbeing impacts of transitioning away from internal combustion engine vehicles. We urge the Committee to actively seek input from health stakeholders to ensure the full range of impacts, including benefits to health and wellbeing, are considered in the Committee’s inquiry and report.
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