SINGLETON residents concerned about the quality of the air they breathe are invited to attend a public meeting on November 11.

The Singleton Shire Healthy Environment Group will reveal why they believe the newly proposed monitoring network fails to fully address the issue of pollutants in the air.

Spokesperson for the group Dr John Drinan said it was a real pandora’s box that had been opened since their investigations began.

“We need answers, and we need to know if the strong community concern about air quality and health is justified,” he said.

“We don’t just want to know about dust, there are 37 different pollutant materials identified in Singleton air and dust is only one.”

“If they just want to measure dust it’s not good enough.”

Mr Drinan said particulate matter was getting all the attention, but there were a lot of gases, particularly sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide that were emitted and were known to be injurious to health.

He said the critical thing depended on the concentrations of these pollutants in the air, and it was important to know definitely whether there was a problem or not.

“It is a social justice issue,” he said.

“A precedent has been set in Gladstone where there are similar concerns, and an investigation is currently underway there,” he said.

“When you compare the air in Singleton with the air in Armidale, the air in Armidale is ‘crystal clear’,” he said.

The group has lobbied the state government to compare the health statistics of the Singleton community compared to other parts of the state, via a comprehensive and independent health study.

“There is strong concern in the community and the government just keeps on ignoring this,” he said.

“So let’s find out whether there is a problem, and there is ample evidence to suggest there most likely is.”

Respiratory conditions such as asthma along with eye conditions, cancer, kidney problems and liver problems have been linked to airborne pollutants.

The effects of weather on distribution of pollutants will be presented by Prof. Howard Bridgman from the University of Newcastle on the evening.

The meeting will begin at 7.30pm on November 11 at the York Street RSC and all are welcome to attend.