fires on a community in circumstances similar to the Hazelwood mine fire.8 However, the greatest risk to public health from the Hazelwood mine fire was from fine smoke particles.9 In this regard, the risk was similar to risks well known from bushfire smoke. When evaluating air quality generally, there are three major pollutant categories to consider: particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5 – gases carbon monoxide, ozone, sulphur dioxide – and nitrogen dioxide air toxins volatile organic compounds and – metals.10 The Hazelwood mine fire produced pollutants from these three major categories, including the following: carbon monoxide particulate matter sulphur dioxide nitrogen dioxide volatile organic compounds ozone polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons dioxins and furans metals (magnesium, manganese, mercury and zinc).11
fires on a community in circumstances similar to the Hazelwood mine fire.8 However, the greatest risk to public health from the Hazelwood mine fire was from fine smoke particles.9 In this regard, the risk was similar to risks well known from bushfire smoke. When evaluating air quality generally, there are three major pollutant categories to consider: particulate matter – PM10 and PM2.5 gases – carbon monoxide, ozone, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide air toxins – volatile organic compounds and metals.10 The Hazelwood mine fire produced pollutants from these three major categories, including the following: carbon monoxide particulate matter sulphur dioxide nitrogen dioxide volatile organic compounds ozone polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons dioxins and furans metals (magnesium, manganese, mercury and zinc).11
Hazelwood_Mine_Inquiry_Report_Part04_PF.docx