Air Quality Research & Planning

Air Quality Working Group

In 2002, EPHC established the Air Quality Working Group, with membership from State and Commonwealth agencies and the health sector, to identify priority areas of research into the relationship between air quality and health.

The working group reports to EPH Standing Committee. Its role is to advise EPH Standing Committee on (and as directed facilitate EPHC projects related to) the following:

• strategic and emerging air quality issues
• national and joint Australia/New Zealand air quality research priorities
• collaborative work on air quality projects, such as the development of inventories, modelling, and monitoring techniques, approaches to monitoring infrastructure/ equipment and options for addressing emission risks; and
• developing closer cooperation with sectors and agencies with an intrest in air quality issues, including those responsible for health, transport, land-use planning, and greenhouse policy.

Priority Research Areas

In recognition of the significant linkages between air quality and health, the Environment Protection and Heritage Council has made a determined effort to address the gaps in Australian research in this area.

Working groups were established to identify priority areas of research into the relationship between air quaility and health, and to identify funding options and develop mechanisms for the delivery of priority research projects. The information generated by these studies will support decisions on future air quality standards and management strategies. More information on studies completed, or in progress, can be found at Children's Health Air Pollution Study, Multi-city Mortality and Morbidity Study, and Time Activity Study.