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By Alesha Capone

9th March 2010 11:05:12 AM

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SUNSHINE residents have called for dust-monitoring stations to be established in their area, similar to those in Brooklyn which have recorded unsafe dust levels.

Last month, the Environment Protection Authority released the results of the first 100 days of their Brooklyn dust-monitoring scheme.

The results showed airborne dust particles smaller than .01 microns (PM10) in the area were at more than double the annual national safety standard.

At a Brooklyn Community Reference Group meeting, EPA officers said most of the dust seemed to be coming from the Brooklyn industrial estate.

Department of Health officials said this could cause asthma attacks, respiratory and heart problems in healthy adults and children on windy days above 29 degrees Celsius.

The World Health Organisation also said raised rates of PM10 dust could cause higher-than-average mortality rates and lung cancer.

President of the Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association (SunRRA) Darlene Reilly said she would send a letter to the EPA asking for a dust-monitoring program in Sunshine.

“We are copping the dust and the smell from the Brooklyn industrial estate,” Ms Reilly said.

“We are going to be demanding these monitoring stations … dust is everywhere. All through our houses, on cars, front doors and windows.”

The Brimbank City Council held a planning meeting last week which included a report recommending action the council should take on the Brooklyn industrial area, such as continuing to monitor properties with the EPA, a plan to establish a Neighbourhood Environmental Improvement Plan and further reports to make recommendations.

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