Do you think Australia has healthy air quality?
When you think of Australia do you think of sun, sand, outdoor activities and fresh air? I’m sure most people do. Australians are renowned for loving outdoor activities from football and swimming, to cycling and bushwalking. Generally, Aussies are a sporty bunch who love to spend time outdoors.
But how good is Australia’s air quality and does that depend which town you live in? What are the variables?
Who monitors air quality in Australia?
When measuring air quality these are the main pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO), lead, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and sulphur dioxide (SO2).
In Australia these are monitored by the National Environment Protection Measure for Ambient Air Quality (NEPM). Mostly these pollutants do not exceed the accepted standard set by the NEPM but sometimes ozone and particulate matter do. Particulate matter (PM2.5) is of particular concern as the size (2.5 microns) of these particles allows them to enter the bloodstream and they have been implicated in cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung disease and a reduced life span.(1)
What factors contribute to poor air quality in Australia?
Air quality can be affected by both natural and man-made causes. Australia is the most bushfire-prone country on Earth and seasonally this can lower the air quality of a region. Seasonal dust storms can also be a contributor, when dry dusty soil is carried many kilometres and sometimes mixed with bacteria or viruses furthermore reducing the air quality.
Australia has a very high rate of vehicle ownership, and with increased distances for these and business transport to travel, it adds to the carbon dioxide emissions. The burning of fossil fuels and industrial processes are a significant contributor to poor air quality, and also contribute to thousands of deaths each year.
What’s the Australian Government doing?
But it’s not all doom and gloom. The Australian government has been proactive in implementing strategies to maintain the standard of air quality in Australia. The Bureau of Meteorology is developing a National Air Quality Data Service to consolidate all the national air quality monitoring data gathered by the country’s state Environmental Protection Agencies. This will provide individuals and organisations with accurate and up-to-date information in one easily accessible database.
Does this affect me when travelling in Australia?
When travelling, people with asthma or conditions affected by poor air quality can check The Bureau of Meteorology site for information regarding bushfires, smoke and air quality.(2)
At the time of writing (3/7/24) Sydney had the cleanest air of any major city in the world, with Melbourne coming in at a distant 86. Keep in mind this status changes daily, and overall Australia’s air is some of the cleanest in the world. World air quality monitoring experts IQair, who consult with the WHO, have ranked Australia as having the 6th cleanest air in the world.
So, if you’re planning a trip to any part of Australia you can be assured that you’re breathing in some of the best air. Keep an eye on weather and bushfire reports and make sure you travel with any medication you require. Then get out outdoors, breathe deeply and enjoy!
References
- https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/air/Pages/particulate-matter.aspx
- http://www.bom.gov.au/catalogue/warnings/air-pollution.shtml