Simmonds & Bristow provides expertise in the monitoring, modelling, assessment and management of dust nuisance and modelling and assessment of odour nuisance. We are also able to integrate noise and lighting assessments where part of a larger project.
Specific skills offered by Simmonds & Bristow include:
- PM10 (particulate matter <10µm) and TSP (total suspended particulates) monitoring using high volume samplers;
- PM10 and TSP monitoring using DustTrak direct read meter;
- Dust deposition monitoring using deposition gauges (a good tool for quarries, development sites and unsealed roads – usually reported monthly);
- Preparation of emissions inventory for dust emissions (i.e. dust sources and emission rates);
- Reporting of annual emissions to the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI);
- Air dispersion modelling of dust emissions, recommendations for control measures and validation monitoring;
- Health risk assessment of exposure to dusts; and
- Environmental Management Plans to control dust emissions.
Simmonds & Bristow conducted an assessment of a proposed sand extraction activity in northern NSW, which was part of a large impact assessment. An important aspect of this project was the determination of existing background dust concentrations, which can be very different in rural areas compared to urban areas. While background dust levels overall are very low, airborne dust concentrations and deposition can be very high near unsealed roads. In this case, vehicle movements on the unsealed haul routes across the proposed development site were the major source of dust, while dusts generation by the sand extraction (wet extraction) activity were relatively minor. The air dispersion model, Ausplume, was used to predict airborne dust concentrations and dust deposition rates at residences located within a kilometre of the site. This information was then used to determine and model control measures to minimise nuisance (and any health risks) at affected locations.