Centre for Air pollution, energy and health Research
An NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence
We are a virtual centre that brings together more than 40 researchers from around Australia and internationally to pursue collaborative research projects and translate our research into practice. Our research aims to understand the health impacts of air pollution and new energy sources.
Our vision is for a healthier community through cleaner air and cleaner energy sources.
Even Low Levels of Air Pollution Are Harmful to Health
Growing evidence outlined in a newly published position statement from CAR, and led by Professor Graeme Zosky from the University of Tasmania’s Menzies Institute for Medical Research, shows that even very low levels of air pollution are harmful to our health.
Professor Zosky said this finding has important implications for how air pollution is regulated in Australia.
“It has been firmly established that increases in air pollution are harmful to our health.”
see latest review published in the MJA
How effective are HEPA cleaners during smoke events?
CAR researchers recently assessed the effectiveness of portable high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaners during a prolonged smoke event. HEPA cleaners were installed in the main library in Port Macquarie between August and October 2019. The library contained substantially better air quality compared with outdoor air quality when HEPA cleaners were operating.
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Links between exposure to air pollution and sensitivity to allergens in children
CAR researchers investigated links between exposure to air pollution and sensitivity to common allergens in children. They found that increasing exposure to nitrogen dioxide was associated with greater sensitisation to house dust mites. This is the first national study to evaluate associations between nitrogen dioxide and children's sensitivity to allergies.
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Air quality thresholds do not adequately protect Australians
According to CAR researchers the current mechanism for setting air quality thresholds in Australia does not adequately protect community health. The standards provides only partial health protection and adversely impacts community perceptions by implying that the current standards represent a ‘safe’ level of exposure.
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The Role of Traffic-Related Air Pollution on Neurodegenerative Diseases in Older People
CAR researchers have conducted a review on the role that traffic-related air pollution may play in neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Current research has provided mixed findings and longer-term studies are needed to confirm the levels of risk and other contributing environmental factors. Better understanding of these relationships will help inform the development of preventive measures and reduce chronic cognitive and physical health burdens (cost, quality of life) at personal and societal levels.
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Events
May webinar: Professor Mattheos Santamouris
Dial in and listen to Professor Mattheos Santamouris on 14 May 2021, Scientia Distinguished Professor of High-Performance Architecture at UNSW on research developments in the field of urban overheating, its impact on the city life.
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November webinar: Identifying smoke plumes
Watch our recording from 20 November, 2020 as we heard from Dr Alexandra Larssen from the USA EPA on a machine learning approach for detecting large fire smoke plumes in new generation satellite imagery.
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March webinar: Dr Yvonne Scorgie
Watch our recording from 26 March 2021 as we heard from Dr Yvonne Scorgie, Science Leader at the NSW Department of Planning, Industry, and Environment.
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February webinar: Professor Susan Thompson
Watch our recording from 26 February 2021 at 12:00-1:00 pm (Sydney time) to hear from Professor Susan Thompson, Head of City Wellbeing Program at UNSW City Futures Research Centre.
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