Dust storm is a natural source of pollution.
Natural, or biogenic, sources include:
- agricultural burning
- bushfire and prescribed burning – the second biggest natural source of ozone precursors in the NSW Greater Metropolitan Region
- windblown dust from agricultural land and unpaved roads
- soil – this is the biggest natural source of NOx in the NSW Greater Metropolitan Region as microbes and other chemical processes naturally produce oxides of nitrogen
- vegetation – trees and grasses naturally emit VOCs and are the biggest natural source of VOCs in the NSW Greater Metropolitan Region.
Controlled burning is a natural source of pollution.
Image courtesy of M Lauder
The highest exposure recorded for particles is during severe bushfires and dust storms. During these times, levels can far exceed relevant standards or goals and result in widespread exposure for extended periods of time.
For example, a severe dust storm in Albury in March 2003 saw PM10 concentrations reach 18 times the Air NEPM standard and resulted in the highest PM10 levels on record for Sydney, the Illawarra, Wagga Wagga and Bathurst and the highest PM2.5 levels on record for the Illawarra.
Almost 20 per cent of all PM10 emissions in the NSW Greater Metropolitan Region come from agricultural burning, bushfires, prescribed burning and windborne dust.
Did you know?
The Blue Mountains appear blue because of the VOCs naturally emitted there.
Dust storm is a natural source of pollution.
Natural, or biogenic, sources include:
- agricultural burning
- bushfire and prescribed burning – the second biggest natural source of ozone precursors in the NSW Greater Metropolitan Region
- windblown dust from agricultural land and unpaved roads
- soil – this is the biggest natural source of NOx in the NSW Greater Metropolitan Region as microbes and other chemical processes naturally produce oxides of nitrogen
- vegetation – trees and grasses naturally emit VOCs and are the biggest natural source of VOCs in the NSW Greater Metropolitan Region.
Controlled burning is a natural source of pollution.
Image courtesy of M Lauder
The highest exposure recorded for particles is during severe bushfires and dust storms. During these times, levels can far exceed relevant standards or goals and result in widespread exposure for extended periods of time.
For example, a severe dust storm in Albury in March 2003 saw PM10 concentrations reach 18 times the Air NEPM standard and resulted in the highest PM10 levels on record for Sydney, the Illawarra, Wagga Wagga and Bathurst and the highest PM2.5 levels on record for the Illawarra.
Almost 20 per cent of all PM10 emissions in the NSW Greater Metropolitan Region come from agricultural burning, bushfires, prescribed burning and windborne dust.
Did you know?
The Blue Mountains appear blue because of the VOCs naturally emitted there.