Boral have a range of state of the art air monitors on the site and in conjunction with the EPA regularly report on the dust generated by operations relative to the background dust levels and weather. Generally they are understood to comply with the EPA requirements. However the experience by many residents is that the dust still impacts at a nuisance and health level.
Some residents are concerned about the small particulate dust size (unseen pm 2.5) which has proven to have serious health impacts in other industrial environments. Boral and the EPA are satisfied that the levels are within the current guidelines. However there is some anecdotal evidence that there may be a cluster of respiratory related ailments in the immediate community. However there is no substantiated evidence of this or the cause.
Because of the ongoing impacts of Dust the Association has lobbied the EPA and with the assistance of local member David Speirs and Marion Council, the EPA agreed to relocate some of their monitors from Hallett Cove to Marino and conduct an independant Dust Study incluidng consukltation with a registered group of volunters.