The air quality index (AQI) is used in Adelaide and across Australia to communicate real-time air pollution levels to the public. It measures five major air pollutants regulated by Australia's national environment law - the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) - namely ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. An AQI value is calculated for each pollutant in Adelaide, and the highest value determines the overall AQI level which ranges from 0 to 500. Higher AQI values indicate greater levels of air pollution and health concerns.
Typical AQI values in Adelaide range from 50 to 100, which fall in the "good" and "moderate" categories. During heat waves or bushfires when there are more particles in the air, the AQI can spike above 100 into the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” range. However, Adelaide enjoys relatively good air quality compared to other Australian capital cities. For example, in 2022 the average yearly AQI level in Adelaide was 32, while it was higher in Sydney (44), Melbourne (39) and Brisbane (34).
Overall, Adelaide compares favourably against Australia's major population centres when it comes to air quality. Monitoring data shows significantly lower average levels of particulate matter, ozone and nitrogen dioxide in Adelaide compared to Sydney and Melbourne. Bushfire smoke does periodically cause Adelaide's pollution to spike, but the issue is generally less pronounced than eastern state capitals. Factors helping Adelaide maintain good air quality are its lower population density, coastal location, steady sea breezes and lack of heavy industry nearby.
Environmental experts predict Australia's rapid population growth in cities over the next 20 years will degrade air quality if left unchecked. However Australia's commitments under international environmental law, including the Paris Agreement, require major improvements in air quality by 2030. The federal and South Australian governments have policies to drive emission reductions from major sources like vehicles and energy generation. Transitioning Adelaide's power supply to renewables, expanding electric vehicle infrastructure and tightening industrial air pollution standards should see Adelaide's air quality remain good relative to overseas megacities in the years ahead.
What is the air quality index of Adelaide?
According to data from South Australia's Environment Protection Authority (EPA), the current real-time air quality index (AQI) for Adelaide is 32. This value falls in the moderate level under Australia's National Air Quality Standard Framework. It is based on the maximum value of individual pollutants including particulate matter, ozone, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide being measured at monitoring stations across Adelaide.
Does Adelaide have good air quality compared to other cities?
Yes, Adelaide enjoys comparatively good air quality standards overall amongst Australia's major population centres. According to 2022 data from the national Clean Air and Urban Landscapes Hub, Adelaide ranked 3rd based on the average annual concentration of major air pollutants, behind Darwin (best) and Brisbane.
- Darwin (best - 26)
- Brisbane (28)
- Adelaide (32)
- Perth (34)
- Melbourne (39)
- Sydney (worst - 44)
Is Adelaide more polluted than Melbourne?
No, Adelaide is not more polluted than Melbourne based on 2022 air quality index data. Adelaide ranked a cleaner 3rd amongst Australian capitals with an annual average AQI of 32 using the national standard framework, lower than Melbourne's average AQI of 39. While Adelaide can experience high particulate matter from bushfire smoke, Melbourne has substantially more issues with peak ozone, nitrogen oxides and particulate emissions from vehicles and industry. Efforts are ongoing across Australian cities to meet national environmental law limits on air pollutants.
What is Australia Doing to Prevent Air Pollution in Adelaide?
The South Australian EPA works closely with academic institutions like Flinders University to conduct air pollution modelling, forecasting and health impact studies. The EPA consults industry, community and public health groups when developing Clean Air regulations and policies under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The Adelaide City Council also runs awareness campaigns encouraging reduced car use and zero-emission transport alternatives.
South Australia's Environment Protection Act 1993 provides the regulatory framework to monitor and enforce licence conditions on major industrial polluters in Adelaide. National fuel standards, vehicle emission controls and power plant regulations also apply under the EPBC Act to manage air quality. Adelaide's airshed meets national air quality standards for all major pollutants besides nitrogen dioxide from transport.
How do local government policies in Adelaide address air pollution?
Definitive answer and include main point, purpose of NSW Action for Air.
Sorry, I noticed I incorrectly referenced New South Wales in the previous header question. To clarify, the South Australian EPA's Clean Air Strategy provides the policy framework for reducing air pollution from industry, transport and households in Adelaide. Key elements include tightening air quality standards, increasing monitoring capabilities, providing air quality information to the public, and working across government to meet national environmental targets.
How can we reduce air pollution in Adelaide?
Individuals can help cut transport emissions in Adelaide by walking, cycling and using public transport instead of taking car trips. Supporting zero-emission vehicle uptake through purchasing decisions and charging infrastructure installation also helps. In the home, replacing old wood heaters with non-polluting heat pumps reduces neighbourhood particulate levels.
Indoor air can be improved by avoiding smoking, ventilation while painting/cleaning, using low VOC products, and getting heat pumps serviced to prevent gas/particle leakage. Workplaces should follow occupational health guidance on air impurity standards, ventilation design and combustion equipment maintenance.
How did air pollution in Adelaide change over time?
Over the past decade, air quality in Adelaide has generally improved across most major pollutants like sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and lead. This reflects tighter national emission standards on vehicles and industrial facilities under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. However, increasing frequency of heatwaves and bushfires near Adelaide have driven up summertime particulate matter to problematic levels in recent years.
The South Australian EPA's Clean Air Strategy has targeted emission reduction policies for key pollution sources such as old wood heaters, fossil fuel power plants and cars. Financial incentives to phase out wood heaters, stricter licence conditions on industrial emitters, and electric vehicle infrastructure expansion in Adelaide have all contributed to cleaner air.
What are the future predictions for air pollution in Adelaide?
Experts predict Adelaide will meet national air quality standards for most pollutants besides ozone and particulates by 2030, but population growth and climate change impacts pose risks. Climate projections anticipating hotter, drier conditions and more frequent heat waves will likely compound Adelaide's fine particle and ozone pollution issues.
The South Australian EPA collaborates with organisations like the Clean Air and Urban Landscapes hub to apply atmospheric chemical transport models, satellite remote sensing and real-time station monitoring to forecast hourly air pollution levels across Adelaide's airshed. Machine learning technology improves predictive capabilities by incorporating weather data.
Climate change effects like higher temperatures and increasing bushfire risks around Adelaide's fringes are projected to increase the frequency and duration of peak summertime ozone and fine particle pollution events. South Australia's current air quality policies account for these risks, aiming to curb precursor emissions from vehicles and industry.
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