The air quality index (AQI) is used in Perth and other Australian cities to communicate daily air quality information to the public. It measures the levels of major air pollutants and their potential health impacts. A higher AQI value indicates a higher level of air pollution and greater health concerns.
The AQI scale in Australia ranges from 0 to 500. Perth generally has good air quality with AQI values between 0-100, indicating low levels of pollution. However, bushfire smoke or dust storms can occasionally cause the index to reach hazardous levels over 200. The EPA provides real-time AQI data on its website to inform residents.
Compared to major cities like Sydney and Melbourne, Perth experiences lower levels of pollution from industrial activity and traffic emissions. Its AQI averages around 20-30, which falls in the "good" category. Remote cities like Darwin and Hobart also report good AQI values similar to Perth. However, Perth's air quality can worsen during the bushfire season in summer.
Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires, dust storms and heatwaves in Australia, posing challenges for air quality management. The National Clean Air Agreement provides a framework for federal, state and local governments to coordinate efforts reducing air pollution. These include stricter vehicle emission standards, cleaner industrial processes, and increased monitoring.
Environmental law plays a vital role in improving air quality over the long term. Australia's involvement in international climate change and sustainable development agreements drives stronger national regulations around industrial and transport emissions. As Perth's population grows, urban planning and green infrastructure will also be important to mitigate pollution. Continued research and community education around the health impacts of air pollution can also drive positive changes.
What is the air quality index of Perth?
According to the latest reading from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), the current air quality index (AQI) for Perth is 32 as of 16 February 2024. This AQI value falls in the "good" range.
Does Perth have good air quality compared to other cities?
Yes, Perth generally has better air quality compared to Australia's major cities. According to IQAir's 2022 World Air Quality Report, Perth ranked 4th out of 15 Australian cities for best air quality. The average PM2.5 concentration was 5.3μg/m3, which meets the WHO target. Perth ranked behind Darwin, Hobart and Canberra which took the top 3 spots. Other major cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane had higher pollution levels than Perth.
Is Perth more polluted than Melbourne?
No, Melbourne is more polluted than Perth in terms of fine particle pollution (PM2.5). In 2022, Melbourne had an annual PM2.5 average of 7.7 μg/m3 while Perth averaged 5.3 μg/m3 according to IQAir. However, bushfire smoke causes Perth's air quality to occasionally spike above hazardous levels during summer. Over the past 5 years, Perth exceeded the national air quality standard for PM2.5 in 13 days compared to 4 days in Melbourne. So while Melbourne has higher overall pollution, Perth can have short periods of intense pollution.
What are the main sources of air pollution in Perth?
The key air pollutants of concern in Perth are particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3). Bushfire smoke during summer also significantly deteriorates air quality.
As a sprawling city built around car transportation, emissions from petrol and diesel vehicles are a major contributor to Perth's air pollution. Traffic pollution is highest along major roads and freeways, producing harmful particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and other smog-forming chemicals.
Perth has major industrial areas surrounding the city, with pollution sources including refineries, chemical plants, mineral processing and ports. Industrial emissions contain sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds and other particles which impact local air quality, in areas like Kwinana and Rockingham.
What strategies are in place to improve air quality in Perth?
To combat pollution from growing road transportation, Perth aims to promote public transport usage, walking and cycling. Vehicle emission standards are also being tightened. The state government provides subsidies for electric vehicles and renewable transport like green hydrogen. For industry, stricter licensing conditions are enforced on major emitters to minimise pollution through cleaner production processes and stack monitoring. Public awareness campaigns also encourage individuals to reduce activities like wood heating smoke which degrade local air quality.
What is Australia Doing to Prevent Air Pollution in Perth?
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation works with local governments, industry, academics and community groups as part of the Perth Air Quality Management Plan to coordinate monitoring, reporting and strategies to reduce air pollution. Research bodies like CSIRO provide air quality modelling and analysis to inform policy decisions.
The national Clean Air Agreement sets air quality standards and goals that WA policies align with. The Environmental Protection Act 1986 provides for regulations and licences to control industrial, vehicle, open burning and other emissions. Local governments have by-laws on wood heaters and quarrying activities that impact local air quality.
How do local government policies in Perth address air pollution?
Perth councils have introduced the Urban Forest Plan to increase tree canopy coverage across the city, creating natural filters for traffic and industrial pollution. The Transport @ 3.5 Million plan focuses on facilitating public transport infrastructure and cycling routes to provide alternatives to private car use over coming decades.
How can we reduce air pollution in Perth?
Citizens can help cut pollution in Perth by walking, cycling and using public transport instead of driving where possible. Avoiding wood burning stoves and properly maintaining car engines also reduces local particle pollution. Getting involved in community tree planting events helps expand the urban forest to improve air quality.
Indoors, people can reduce air pollution by ventilating rooms, using low chemical cleaning/building products and having air purifying plants. Workplaces should implement smoke-free policies. Air quality monitoring devices are available to track conditions inside homes and offices as well.
How did air pollution in Perth change over time?
Over the past decade, air quality in Perth has remained relatively stable, with the annual average level of fine particle (PM2.5) pollution staying between 5-7 μg/m3 since 2014. There have been policies introduced such as stricter industry licensing and vehicle emission standards which aim to prevent increases in pollution as the population grows.
The WA CleanRun program offers funding support to help industry invest in cleaner production processes to minimise air emissions. Stricter licence conditions have been placed on emitters like brickworks. State vehicle emission testing regimes have also been enhanced through programs like Diesel National Environment Protection Measure.
What are the future predictions for air pollution in Perth?
CSIRO modelling predicts average PM2.5 levels in Perth could increase up to 20% by 2030 due to population and economic expansion. However pollution events from bushfire smoke may occur more frequently under climate change projections.
Advanced dispersion modelling and satellite remote sensing data allows fine-scale spatial mapping of air pollution levels across Perth by agencies like DWER. Real-time monitoring networks also help predict pollution based on emissions activity and metrological conditions.
Climate change could worsen summer smoke pollution as hotter, drier conditions increase the likelihood of severe bushfires. Perth may also experience more dust storms and heat waves which trap pollutants. However milder winters could lead to less wood heating emissions. Managing these impacts requires ongoing modelling and mitigation efforts.
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