Narangba Industrial Estate Health Impact Assessment

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Health Impact Assessment

Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is a method used throughout the world to estimate both the positive and negative effects on the health of a certain population under specific conditions and at a specific time.

In the case of Narangba, the HIA was used to investigate and analyse any current/potential future effects the Narangba Industrial Estate may have on the health of the surrounding population (i.e. the Narangba area consisting of Deception Bay, Narangba and North Lakes). Community concerns were raised about the impact of emissions from industry on the health of the community. These concerns mainly focused around air emissions and included odour.

Emissions to land, air and water are regulated by both the DERM and the Moreton Bay Regional Council. With respect to air, the main focus has been on particles and chemicals that have the potential to significantly impact on the environment and public health.

The range of chemicals and particles that are typically measured as part of a regulatory compliance program do not cover the majority of hazardous air pollutants that may be associated with long term human health impacts. The lack of available data resulted in the commissioning of a range of projects to provide information required to inform the health impact assessment. Some of this data was required to enable the consideration of human health risk while other data was used to identify area specific issues such as positive perceptions and wider general community thoughts and opinions.

Following the completion of surveys and monitoring and modelling activities, an independent heath risk assessment (a component of a health impact assessment) was conducted. This assessment focused on the impact of air emissions on the ambient air quality of the Narangba area and the potential for human health risks associated with these emissions.

The health impact assessment aimed to:

• assess the impact of air emissions on the ambient air quality of the Narangba area
• assess the potential risks to human health associated with those emissions
• assess whether the community has experienced adverse health outcomes as a result of those emissions
• identify whether any additional health surveillance or evaluation is required
• inform government agency decision making processes with respect to planning for high impact industry.

For more information on HIA visit World Health Organization.