Page 3395 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 18 September 1990

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

REPORT ON WODEN AMBIENT LEAD LEVELS

ACT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

ACT Government Analytical Laboratories

The following data for ambient lead levels is the most up to date available.

The data is for three month rolling averages ( 90 day lead levels) and is expressed in micrograms per cubic meter.

Month i 1988 i 1989 i 1990

Jan - Mar 0.66 0.55 0.33

Feb - Apr i 0.56 0.60 0.35

Mar - May i 1.06 i 0.86 0.60

Apr - Jun 1.33 i 0.93

May - Jul i 1.70 1.08

Jun - Aug i 1.68 i 0.95

Jul - Sep * 1.03 i * Denotes where

less than 70

Aug - Oct i 1.31 0.91 i of data was

available for

Sep - Nov 0.78 i 0.78 i averaging.

Oct - Dec i 0.66 11 0.58 11

Nov - Jan i 0.55 i 0.44 11

Dec - Feb i 0.54 i 0.36 11

The above data shows cyclic trends associated with climatic conditions. Lead levels are higher in winter due to the formation of inversion layers and stable air masses.

However as can be seen from the following graph a definite downward trend in lead levels is appearing.

The line at 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter is the current guideline set by the NH&MRC for 90 day ambient lead levels.

3395

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