Darwin residents are facing a toxic gas crisis, and the science is clear: their concerns are justified. The community has been battling against the release of toxic chemicals, particularly benzene, from two gas export facilities in the city. Despite their efforts, the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NTEPA) has recently approved a permit extension for Santos, allowing them to emit toxic gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for an additional 26 days each year. This decision has sparked outrage among residents, who fear for their health and the environment.
Benzene, a hazardous gas released during gas and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) production, is a major concern. Recent studies link benzene exposure to various health risks, including cancers, childhood asthma, heart and respiratory diseases, hospitalizations, deaths, low birth weight, and cancer risks to the developing fetus, even at low levels of exposure. The research is unequivocal: there is no safe level of benzene exposure.
The Australian government committed to setting a formal standard for benzene exposure by 2012, but none has been established. The current threshold for benzene in Australia is two to three times higher than standards in Europe, India, Japan, and New Zealand. This discrepancy highlights the need for stricter regulations.
The gas facilities in Darwin, operated by Inpex and Santos, are located close to residential areas, raising concerns about the impact on local residents. The Community Healthy Air Northern Territory (CHANT) group has taken action, raising over $100,000 to purchase a regulation-grade mobile BTEX monitoring device. However, the NTEPA's approval of Santos' extension to emit toxic gases has undermined their efforts.
The situation is further complicated by the history of underreporting and underestimation of emissions by both Inpex and Santos. Inpex admitted to underestimating benzene emissions by 138 times and hot venting for extended periods when anti-pollution devices were inactive. This highlights a pattern of negligence and a lack of accountability.
The NT Chief Health Officer's preliminary human health risk assessment concluded that the risk of health effects from these emissions was low, but this assessment is questionable. The quality of the report depends on the quality of input data, and continuous air quality measurements are essential. The current monitoring system may be underestimating exposure and potential health impacts.
The federal government's National Environment Protection Council must review recent population studies that reveal serious risks at exposure levels considered 'safe'. Clear limits to toxic emissions, independent monitoring, and firm regulatory action are necessary to protect people and the environment. The future of Darwin and global gas developments depends on getting this right, ensuring that toxic emissions are minimized and regulated to safeguard public health.
