Surf Coast Shire Council will seek an explanation from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) as to why Victorian standards for sulphur dioxide levels in air are more lenient than overseas standards.

Anglesea Ward Councillor Margot Smith moved the notice of motion at Council’s May meeting, pointing out that Victorian EPA standards for maximum hourly sulphur dioxide exposure of 200 parts per billion are much higher than the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) hourly level of 75 parts per billion.

Cr Smith said the Anglesea community therefore needed assurances that EPA monitoring was effective in ensuring emissions from Alcoa’s coal-fired Anglesea Power Station had no adverse health impacts.

In her notice of motion, Cr Smith said the Victorian EPA’s Principal Scientist had identified health risks associated with excessive exposure to ambient levels of sulphur dioxide.

“There is no suggestion that Alcoa is breaching any restrictions, but the EPA does need to reassure the Anglesea community that these standards and the monitoring program are providing effective protection from adverse health impacts,” Cr Smith said.

“This step isn’t intended to raise alarm, but rather to seek assurance that the monitoring regime in place in Victoria is effective.”

Sulphur dioxide exposure has been linked a variety of health impacts including respiratory problems.