Air quality refers to the cleanliness of the air and the amount of pollutants present. Good air quality is important for human and environmental health.
The average air quality index (AQI) values in Australia over the last 2 years have generally been in the 'good' range between 0-50 AQI, with some periods of 'moderate' air quality between 51-100 AQI according to data from IQAir.
Real-time air quality data for Australia can be accessed on websites like IQAir and AirVisual which compile data from monitoring stations around the country. The EPA in each Australian state also provides local air quality data.
The main causes of air pollution in Australia are smoke from bushfires and planned burns, motor vehicle emissions in cities, and industrial pollution. Air pollutants pose health risks including lung and heart disease.
What is the Air Quality Index of Australia?
The air quality index (AQI) is a measurement tool used by government agencies to communicate real-time air quality information to the public. The AQI converts air pollution concentrations into a single number and associated descriptive category.
Real-time AQI values for major Australian cities are generally in the 'good' range of 0-50 as of January 2024, indicating low levels of main pollutants like particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. Peak AQI levels can reach up to 'hazardous' during severe bushfire events.
How does Australia measure Air quality index?
Air quality monitoring stations around Australia measure pollutant concentrations using methods like beta attenuation for particulate matter, UV photometry for ozone, chemiluminescence for nitrogen oxides, and infrared absorption for carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. Monitoring technologies include tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) monitors, beta gauge monitors, UV absorption monitors, gas filter correlation monitors, and gas chromatography systems.
PM2.5 and PM10 refer to particulate matter under 2.5 microns and 10 microns in diameter which can be inhaled into the lungs. Ozone is a lung irritant gas formed by chemical reactions between pollutants from vehicles and industry. Nitrogen dioxide comes mainly from motor vehicle and industrial emissions. Sulfur dioxide is produced from burning fossil fuels. Carbon monoxide is emitted by motor vehicle exhausts.
The monitoring data is used to calculate the AQI which communicates air quality information simply for public reporting. The higher the AQI, the greater the level of air pollution and associated health concerns.
What is Australia's global air pollution ranking?
Considering global air quality indices, Australia ranks among the countries with the best air quality in the world. In IQAir's 2021 World Air Quality Report, Australia ranked 16th out of 117 countries for average PM2.5 levels and 4th out of 62 countries on the population-weighted PM2.5 country ranking.
Key factors contributing to Australia's good ranking for air pollution globally include its low population density, lack of large-scale manufacturing and fossil fuel power generation, and strict vehicle emissions standards. However, bushfire smoke causes hazardous spikes in particulate pollution that can temporarily rank Australian cities among the world's worst air quality at times. Overall, Australia's air quality monitoring, regulation and sparse population helps maintain its position as one of the least polluted countries.
Which State of Australia has the Best Air quality?
Tasmania had the best average 2022 PM2.5 reading at 4.7 μg/m3, making it the state with the best air quality, according to IQAir data.
Which State of Australia has the Worst Air quality?
New South Wales had the worst average 2022 PM2.5 level at 9.3 μg/m3, making it the state with poorest air quality last year according to IQAir data.
Which Cities of Australia Have the Best Air quality?
Hobart, Tasmania had the lowest average 2022 PM2.5 reading at 4.7 μg/m3, making it the city with the best air quality in Australia according to IQAir data.
Which Cities of Australia Have the Worst Air quality?
Sydney, New South Wales had the highest average 2022 PM2.5 level at 9.9 μg/m3, making it the city with the worst air quality in Australia last year based on IQAir data.
What are the main causes of air pollution in Australia?
The primary causes of air pollution in Australia are emissions from motor vehicles, industrial facilities, commercial operations, and smoke from bushfires. Major pollutants include particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead.
Policies have been moderately effective at reducing lead, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide levels over time through fuel standards, vehicle emission controls, and industrial regulation. However, fine particle pollution remains problematic in urban areas.
Key policies include the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure setting allowable concentration standards for criteria air pollutants, national fuel quality standards, motor vehicle emissions regulations, industrial facility operating licences from state environment agencies, and the National Clean Air Agreement.
What is Australia Doing to Prevent Air pollution?
The National Clean Air Agreement between the Commonwealth, states and territories aims to address air pollution through national air quality standards, improved monitoring networks and modelling, tighter regulation of industrial and transport emissions, and programs to reduce smoke pollution from bushfires and planned burns.
The federal government's Emissions Reduction Fund has had limited effectiveness reducing air pollutants, with the majority of projects focused on greenhouse gases rather than criteria air contaminants. Stronger industry regulation and transport emission controls are needed to meet National Air Quality Standard limits.
Air quality goals align with Australia's international climate change commitments like the Paris Agreement. However, environmental advocates argue current policies are inadequate to meet World Health Organization guidelines for pollutants like PM2.5 that are covered under the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure standards. More ambitious limits on burning fossil fuels and faster transition to clean energy are called for to comply with national air quality benchmarks.
What can you do to reduce air pollutants?
Individual actions recommended by experts to help lower air pollution include:
- Walk, cycle or take public transport instead of driving private vehicles
- Reduce home wood heating and minimise open burning
- Conserve energy and shift to clean power like solar
- Avoid burning fossil fuels like coal and gas for home heating
- Choose clean vehicles and maintain them well
- Reduce meat consumption and associated agricultural emissions
Studies show public transit emits significantly less air pollution per passenger mile compared to private vehicles. Active transport like biking and walking produce minimal direct emissions. Widespread shifts to cleaner modes would substantially lower urban air pollution levels.
How did air pollution in Australia change over time?
Over the past decade, Australia’s air quality has seen both improvements and deteriorations. Lead and sulfur dioxide levels have declined significantly through fuel and vehicle emission standards. However, fine particle (PM2.5) pollution in major cities remains problematic, frequently exceeding national standards.
According to Australia's State of the Environment 2021 report, between 2011 and 2020, PM10 levels declined in Sydney but increased in Melbourne and Brisbane. PM2.5 also rose in urban centres over the decade. Ozone levels have also increased in major cities.
Bushfire smoke caused extremely hazardous air quality in southeast Australia in 2019-2020, demonstrating vulnerabilities to climate change impacts. Overall, further reductions in motor vehicle, industrial and biomass burning emissions are needed.
What are the future predictions for air pollution in Australia?
Studies by CSIRO predict increasing ozone and fine particle pollution in Australian urban centres due to hotter temperatures accelerating photochemical smog reactions. Climate change is also increasing severe fire weather, pointing to more frequent extreme smoke events.
Under current policies, models show Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane exceeding national PM2.5 standards on over 25 days per year by 2030. Stronger controls on combustion sources are needed to prevent this public health risk. Shift to clean energy and electric vehicles, improved building efficiency and better land management are key measures recommended.
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