FAQs
- analysing local air quality monitoring data
- undertaking site inspections of the Adbri facility
- environmental observations
- coordinated dust sampling
- serving a formal request to Adbri for information regarding the dust event.
- Cement works.
- Crushing, grinding and milling raw materials and clinker.
- Fuel burning: rate of heat released exceeding 5 megawatts.
- Bulk shipping facilities: unloading raw materials, loading of cement.
- Activities producing listed wastes, ie kiln dust.
- control emissions
- manage operational matters that impact or monitor environmental performances
- set requirements for improved environmental performance, for example through an Environment Improvement Programme (EIP)
- address licence administrative requirements.
What caused the May 2024 dust event at Birkenhead?
On 17 May 2024 Adbri confirmed that the major sources of the dust event (being clinker dust) that occurred on 13 and 14 May 2024 were due to mechanical issues with a fan at its site, and an open vent in the clinker storage shed. Adbri has implemented actions to stop the dust emissions linked to the dust event and put in place corrective measures to prevent recurrence.
What’s the EPA’s role and what has the EPA done in response to this dust event?
As South Australia’s independent environment protection regulator, the EPA has undertaken a range of actions to understand and verify the impact of the dust event on the community and the environment, including:
The EPA is assessing all information obtained since 13 May 2024. This information, as well as some that is still to be provided by Adbri, pursuant to the formal request, will inform the EPA’s compliance and enforcement response.
What is the EPA doing in response to community concerns about ongoing dust from Adbri?
The EPA is working to ensure that continuous improvement of dust controls remains an important focus in its regulation of Adbri by conducting regular inspections and assessing its control measures. Adbri is required to implement dust control measures to minimise impacts of its cement production operations at Birkenhead and the EPA expects significant further improvements to be put in place to reduce dust emissions from the site on an-ongoing basis.
Does the EPA conduct air quality monitoring in Birkenhead?
Yes. The EPA conducts real-time monitoring in Birkenhead of the smaller health-impacting particles less than 10 micrometres in diameter (PM10) and particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter (PM2.5) in the ambient air as part of its continuous air quality monitoring program across metropolitan Adelaide. One micrometre (µm) is 1 millionth of a metre or 1 thousandth of a millimetre.
Real-time public access to EPA data is available by visiting its air quality monitoring page.
Is there any dust monitoring undertaken by Adbri?
To observe the effectiveness of its dust management, Adbri is required to continuously monitor at locations within its site for particles as total suspended particles (TSP), PM10 and PM2.5.
Adbri also monitors at an off-site location in the adjacent community, and the EPA requires Adbri to provide public access to its PM10 and PM2.5 data. The provision of real-time data is an approach consistent with other EPA licensed facility requirements.
The real-time public access to Adbri data is available on its monitoring page.
Was the dust event detected on EPA air quality monitors?
Data obtained from the EPA’s Birkenhead air quality monitor, located approximately 600 metres from the boundary of the Adbri facility, indicates that the relevant national air quality standards for PM10 and PM2.5 were not exceeded at this monitoring location during Adbri’s recent dust event on 13 and 14 May 2024. This means that PM10 and PM2.5 levels monitored by the EPA in the Le Fevre area met the national PM10 standard of 50 micrograms per cubic metre of air (µg/m3) and 25 ug/m3 (for a 24-hour average).
However, the EPA has observed 1-hour peaks in PM10 levels at its Birkenhead air quality monitoring station. These peaks have occurred during morning hours. While these peaks have not resulted in the exceedance of 24-hour based PM10 standard, the EPA is working to better understand emission sources (including those present at Adbri) that may be responsible for short-term peak events.
At times, such as during 29 and 30 May 2024, PM10 values were high across the Adelaide metropolitan area, which indicates a regional dust event. Regional dust events can be caused by dry and windy conditions.
What are the EPA licence requirements for Adbri?
Adbri is licensed by the EPA for the following activities of environmental significance:
The object of the licence is to prevent and minimise emissions and impacts associated with the operation of the facility. The licence requires Adbri to operate the cement works in compliance with specified plans and program, to monitor and report on its environmental performance and notify the EPA when specific emission limits are exceeded.
Conditions are included on Adbri’s licences to:
Adbri, along with all licensees, has a duty and obligation to comply with the Environment Protection Act 1993, including all of its licence conditions which are important to drive continuous improvement, and to prevent and minimise the chance of events that have negative environmental outcomes occurring. However they are unlikely to eliminate the risk of adverse events completely.
Adbri is required to regularly assess its risks and seek to improve its methods for eliminating or minimising those risks.
Further information, including operating management plans required by conditions of licence can be found on Adbri's website.
Understanding dust and health
- 50 µg/m3 limit for 24-hour ambient PM10
- 8 µg/m3 limit for annual average ambient PM2.5
- 150 µg/m3 for 24-hour ambient PM10
- 35 µg/m3 for 24-hour ambient PM2.5
- 9.0 µg/m3 for annual average ambient PM2.5 (averaged over 3 years)
- 50 µg/m3 limit for 24-hour ambient PM10
- 25/20 µg/m3 limit for annual average ambient PM2.5
- irritation of the airways, eyes, nose and throat
- coughing, wheezing and difficulty in breathing
- worsening of asthma and lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD), increased frequency and severity of attacks and increases in hospital admissions.
- reduced lung function
- development of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases
- increased rate of disease progression
- reduced life expectancy.
- irritation of the airways, coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing
- reduced lung function
- aggravate asthma, COPD and other chronic lung conditions.
- rarely, particles may also increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke in susceptible people.
- scrub firm produce (eg potatoes, parsnips or carrots) with clean scrubbing brush to remove the dirt
- before using the produce wash thoroughly under cold tap water.
- trim, peel, or discard outer layer of vegetables (eg lettuce)
- dry the produce with clean disposable cloth
- for cutting, use chopping board specially for fruit and vegetables
- keep at chilled temperature 0–5°C if not used immediately.
What are particulates?
PM is particulate matter. PM can be made up of a variety of components including chemicals, metals, soil or dust particles, and allergens (such as fragments of pollen or mould spores). PM may contain microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are small enough to get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems. Large particles may irritate the nose, throat and eyes.
Particle size is a major determinant of how serious the health effect will be, especially for lung diseases and effects on the heart.
Microns, also known as micrometres (µm) are a length of measurement equal to one millionth of a metre – 1,000µm is equal to 1 mm.
PM2.5: Small particles less than 2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter are called PM2.5. They cannot be seen by the human eye. These particles pose the greatest problem because they can get deep into the lungs and some may get into the bloodstream.
PM10: Slightly larger particles that are smaller than 10 µm in aerodynamic diameter are called PM10. These particles can also cause serious health effects in susceptible individuals if the concentration is sufficiently high. These particles are very small and are not easily visible.
Total suspended particulate material (TSP) are particles that have diameters less than 50 µm and includes a mixture of large and fine particles. Larger particles (TSP) are generally trapped in our noses and throats, so they do not reach the lungs; however, they may cause irritation, nuisance and soiling of surfaces.
The image below shows the PM10 and PM2.5 particle sizes relevant to other well-known particles such as sand and salt.
What are the national and international air quality standards?
Australia’s national health-based standards are stricter than those in the US and EU.
The National Ambient Air Quality Standard of Australia is:
More information available on-air quality legislation
The National Ambient Air Quality Standards of US is:
More information on NAAQS
The EU Ambient Air Quality Standards are:
More information on EU air quality standards
Nuisance dust
Nuisance dust is not always easy to characterise. It is often referred to as total suspended particulate (TSP) matter or deposited dust, although the two terms are not the same.
The larger component particles may be irritating to the nose and throat, but they are too large to be breathed into the lungs.
They do not result in respiratory illness, and as such do not have health-based tolerable criteria or national standards.
However, dust events may often include proportions of fine particles (PM10 and PM2.5), which do pose respiratory health risks for people but are not easily visible. Overall, dust (including the nuisance dust) is measured, analysed and regulated through health-based standards of PM10 and PM2.5, instead of TSP or deposited dust.
What are the potential health effects from exposure to particulate matter?
There are many health effects from exposure to particulate matter. Numerous studies have shown associations between exposure to particles and increased hospital admissions as well as death from heart or lung diseases. Health effects can occur after both short- and long-term exposure to particulate matter.
Short-term exposure appears to exacerbate pre-existing diseases while long-term exposure most likely causes disease and increases the rate of progression.
Short-term exposure (hours to days) can lead to:
Long-term exposure (many years) can lead to:
Can dust exposure affect my health?
Human health effects from dust relate mainly to the size of dust particles. The health impacts from exposure to dust is different for each person depending on how much particulate matter they inhale, how long they’re exposed, and any pre-existing medical conditions (please see FAQ on particulates for a further explanation).
Dust particles which are less than 10 and in particular less than 2.5 µg in diameter (PM10 and PM2.5), can affect the lungs and the heart.
Dust particles larger than PM10 can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat but don’t reach the lungs.
Another measure of airborne dust is total suspended particles (TSP) which includes particles with diameters up to 100 micrometres. The health effects for TSP mainly arise from the fraction of particles below PM10.
What do I do if I have symptoms from the dust?
People (adults and children) who have underlying health conditions, in particular, respiratory conditions should follow their existing action plan and speak to their health professional for further advice.
If dust is causing itchy eyes, nose and skin – wash well with water and if symptoms persist seek medical attention.
Health effects from various dusts can include:
If you are having difficulty in breathing, seek medical attention immediately by calling 000 or go to the emergency department.
Further information on asthma is available on the SA Health website.
Further information on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Can my fruit and vegetables still be consumed?
All fruit and vegetables should be washed thoroughly before consumption, this includes those grown in home gardens which can get contaminated with pathogens in the soil as well as environmental dust:
Is the rainwater in my tank safe to drink and water my garden?
SA Health advises rainwater collected in tanks generally contains few chemicals. However, there may be increased pollution by airborne contaminants from very heavy traffic or in industrial areas, including Birkenhead.
Collection of rainwater for human consumption (drinking and cooking) in areas affected by very heavy traffic, industry, incinerators and smelters is not recommended by SA Health.
More information is available on the SA Health website
What is the odour that I can smell in the area?
The EPA encourages the community to submit odour reports by email when they are experiencing an odour issue. Completing the odour diary will help us to identify where the odour that some members of the community are experiencing may be coming from, why it is occurring, and allow us to determine what further action is required to collate evidence.
Who can I talk to about the damage to my property?
Anyone impacted by the event should contact Adbri directly via the 24/7 hotline 8300 0520 or via email.
More information: Dust event – Community Liaison Group Meeting – Adelaide Brighton Community