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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 4 Hansard (11 April) . . Page.. 1131 ..

Without a detailed understanding of what compounds are contained in the burnout smoke, it is not possible to determine either the volume or frequency of the smoke.

3. What risk does this smoke pose to children and people with respiratory problems, (a) attending the event and (b) in the nearest residences to the event.

Without information on the detailed composition of the smoke, possible dispersion and transport factors, and therefore likely doses received by (a) spectators, or (b) people in nearby residences, no assessment of risk can be made.

4. Have there been any indications, from facilities such as first aid stations or ambulance staff at Summernats, that medical treatment to persons has been required as a result of exposure to the smoke.

Information obtained from the Summernats organizer is they have no record of anyone having received treatment from ambulance staff or the first aid stations for smoke related exposure. There is no record of anyone being treated for this type of exposure in the 15-year history of the event.

Information provided by the ACT Ambulance Service and First Aid Australia (the company that provides first aid services at the Summernats), is that no one at the event required medical treatment as a result of exposure to the smoke.

5. Has the ACT Government done its own health assessment of the burnout events.

The ACT Government has not undertaken a health assessment of the burnout event.

6. Has the ACT Government consulted expert literature or sources, to the extent that they exist, on the health impacts of burnout smoke.

As per answer to Question 1, while expert literature has been reviewed, no information exists on the health impacts of burnout smoke.

7. Has the ACT Government considered whether they are jeopardising the health of spectators and nearby residents through exposure to burnout smoke.

The Health Protection Service will investigate this matter during the next Summernats.

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