An Exhausting Test For Cleaner Air

Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday June 16, 1992

By RICHARD MACEY

Two State Government agencies have launched a three-week survey to determine just what is coming out of the exhaust pipes of Sydney's cars.

The results will be used to help set maximum limits for exhaust emission testing which is to become a compulsory part of vehicle registration inspections, probably next year.

Officers from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) spent yesterday at the Domain parking station asking arriving motorists if they would volunteer to have their cars tested.

Whenever a motorist agreed, the vehicle's exhaust pipe was hooked up to a probe designed to measure carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon levels. Another device was linked to the motor to measure its operating efficiency.

Mr John Dennett, an EPA officer, explained that much of the information about vehicle emissions in Australia had been obtained under laboratory conditions.

"We have to get enough data to know what cars are producing in the real world," he said.

Virtually all motorists who did not claim to be in a hurry yesterday accepted the invitation to take part in the five-minute test.

Mrs Jean Beveridge, of Elanora Heights, said she considered herself"environmentally aware" and often caught the ferry to the city to avoid the use of her 1985-model Sigma.

But she admitted she rarely thought about her car's exhaust emissions and had no idea how they could be reduced.

The tests found her Sigma's carbon monoxide emissions were too high but could be reduced with a simple engine tuning.

Curiosity made Mr Michael Shipton, 37, a Manly solicitor, agree to have his Mazda RX7 tested.

"It's a six-year-old car. It is not running well at the moment," he said as the probe was attached. To his surprise he was told that, environmentally, his car was working well.

Testing yet another car, the officers found a leaking radiator that had been undetected by the vehicle's owner.

Mr Dennett said only "three or four" of the 40 or so cars tested yesterday were above the existing emission limits.

However, he agreed that many cars using the Domain were modern, often company vehicles, that would be expected to be in good condition.

Over the next three weeks the officers hope to test about 1,000 cars parked in metropolitan shopping centres, including Hurstville, Chatswood, Mt Druitt, Penrith, Campbelltown and Castle Hill.

Mr Dennett stressed the program was voluntary, that no details identifying the owner would be recorded and that no penalties would be issued to anyone found to be driving a car breaking existing laws.

Today the officers will be seeking volunteers at the Goulburn Street car park in the city.