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Physicist Tom Beer, from the CSIRO Division of
Atmospheric Research in Melbourne, was a walking experiment for five months until
February this year. For that time, Beer wore a small device to record the amount
of nitrogen dioxide he was exposed to at home, outdoors, in his car, and at
work. NO₂, which affects the lungs and throat, forms whenever fossil fuels
such as petrol or natural gas burn. “The results are a good news story,
definitely not shock horror,” said Beer. Levels of NO₂ averaged 5 parts per
billion in the car and 12 ppb in the office, both surprisingly low figures,
according to Beer. CSIRO researchers believe the readings were low because the
gas was absorbed by furnishings, fittings and fabrics. The highest level was 35
ppb in the kitchen of the Beer house which has a gas stove. Even this reading
was well within acceptable exposure levels. But readings from one person are of
limited value. The CSIRO is seeking funding to expand the experiment to at least
100 people from a variety of different occupations and lifestyles to see if the
generally low levels of exposure to NO₂ in Melbourne are common.