The Port Hedland industries Council has released the 2019/20 Port Hedland Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Network Annual Report.
The report includes results from the Taplin Street monitoring station from 1 January 2020 to 30 June 2020, and results from the other seven stations in the Port Hedland Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Program.
From 1 January 2020 to 30 June 2020, the Taplin Street monitoring station recorded three days above the 24-hour average interim guideline for PM10 of 70 μg/m³.
- The exceedances of the 24-hour average interim guideline for PM10 of 70 μg/m³ on 9 and 10 January 2020 were attributed to regional events (Cyclone Blake).
- The exceedance of the 24-hour average interim guideline for PM10 of 70 μg/m³ on 18 May 2020 was attributed to a local industry source.
- 24-hour average concentrations of PM10 were above the AAQ NEPM standard on multiple occasions at all sites in FY 2019/20. The number of days above the AAQ NEPM standard of 50 μg/m³ ranged from 10 days at Taplin (1 January 2020 to 30 June 2020 only) to 173 days at Richardson.
Analysis of PM2.5 data found:
- The 24-hour average concentrations of PM5 were above the AAQ NEPM standard of 25 μg/m³ on 9, 4, 5 and 2 days at the BoM (background), Richardson, Taplin and Yule (background) monitoring stations, respectively.
- The annual average concentration of PM5 were below the AAQ NEPM standards at BoM (background), Richardson, Taplin and Yule (background).
PHIC Chief Executive officer Kirsty Danby said the community should have confidence that the network is operating correctly, and that data received is accurate.
She said work was continuing to transfer control of the network from PHIC to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.