The more we know about air pollution – where it comes from and exactly how it affects us – the more we realise how important it is to do something about it.
Air pollution pathways
Air pollution pathways
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The diagram above shows the air pollution cycle: where it comes from, the way it can change and spread, and how it affects our environment, in and out of the air.
Source: USEPA (Adapted from National Science and Technology Council Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, Air Quality Research Subcommittee, 1999)
Sources and triggers
Air pollution has many sources:
Air pollution sources
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- Natural (biogenic) sources – bushfires, wind storms, vegetation.
- Human-made (anthropogenic) sources:
- Transport – cars, trucks, buses, planes, trains, boats.
- Industrial and commercial – factories, power stations, oil refineries and quarries, smash repairers, service stations.
- Domestic – lawn mowers, wood heaters, house paints.
In general, the percentage figures in this section relate to human-made sources unless otherwise noted.
Depending on where you live, one source may be more relevant to you than another. For example, in urban areas like Sydney, transport plays a major role in ozone and particle pollution. In rural areas, however, agricultural burning, coal heaters and solidfuel heaters are the main sources of particles and ozone isn't as big a problem. Bushfires and dust storms can often be felt throughout NSW.
Air pollution comes from seasonal changes throughout the year. Particle pollution from bushfires is more common in summer and pollution from wood heaters is most likely in winter.