Today's air quality

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Driving your car effects our air quality

Driving differently can improve air quality and reduce fuel costs by 30 per cent. >more

Air quality and health

People with asthma, lung disease or heart disease may be affected on days when air quality is reduced. more

Today's air quality

more

Driving your car effects our air quality

Driving differently can improve air quality and reduce fuel costs by 30 per cent. >more

Air quality and health

People with asthma, lung disease or heart disease may be affected on days when air quality is reduced. more

Transport is one of the main sources of air pollution. The impacts of congestion created by excessive traffic are all around us. For example:

• Many of us structure our day to avoid peak hour traffic by leaving home earlier and/or working later. This affects our leisure and family time.
• Stop-start driving conditions can increase our stress levels and our car's fuel consumption and emissions.
• Congested roads are generally less pleasant or safe to walk or cycle along.
• The efficiency of the public transport system can be affected as congestion disrupts public bus schedules.
• The value of property is higher in areas closer to the city (and lower on busier roads), as living near the city offers reduced travel times and better access to transport. These high costs can sometimes actually lead businesses and households to move further out of the city, contributing to urban sprawl and increasing our dependence on cars.

The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics is studying these costs and more.

Transport is one of the main sources of air pollution. The impacts of congestion created by excessive traffic are all around us. For example:

• Many of us structure our day to avoid peak hour traffic by leaving home earlier and/or working later. This affects our leisure and family time.
• Stop-start driving conditions can increase our stress levels and our car's fuel consumption and emissions.
• Congested roads are generally less pleasant or safe to walk or cycle along.
• The efficiency of the public transport system can be affected as congestion disrupts public bus schedules.
• The value of property is higher in areas closer to the city (and lower on busier roads), as living near the city offers reduced travel times and better access to transport. These high costs can sometimes actually lead businesses and households to move further out of the city, contributing to urban sprawl and increasing our dependence on cars.

The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics is studying these costs and more.

Particle pollution includes both fine and coarse particles. Coarse particles are heavier than finer particles so they don't stay in the air for as long. Instead, they fall across the local landscape, sometimes soiling or damaging materials. They can create that grimy look which many busy roads and urban centres have.

Ozone is also damaging, especially to materials like natural and synthetic rubber, surface coatings (such as paints and varnishes) and textiles. Combined with other pollutants, ozone can even damage metals and stone.

Particle pollution includes both fine and coarse particles. Coarse particles are heavier than finer particles so they don't stay in the air for as long. Instead, they fall across the local landscape, sometimes soiling or damaging materials. They can create that grimy look which many busy roads and urban centres have.

Ozone is also damaging, especially to materials like natural and synthetic rubber, surface coatings (such as paints and varnishes) and textiles. Combined with other pollutants, ozone can even damage metals and stone.

Pollution deposits on the leaves of plants affects their ability to photosynthesise

Air pollution contaminates land, affecting plants and other animals, who breathe in toxic chemicals just as we do. Pollution also deposits on the leaves of plants and affects their ability to photosynthesise (turn carbon dioxide into oxygen), inhibiting their growth. High ozone concentrations can also lead to fungal diseases in plants.

Meanwhile, pollution can be washed out by rain from both the air and off buildings and roads. It enters our water ways, polluting our water and affecting fish and other marine life.

Pollution deposits on the leaves of plants affects their ability to photosynthesise

Air pollution contaminates land, affecting plants and other animals, who breathe in toxic chemicals just as we do. Pollution also deposits on the leaves of plants and affects their ability to photosynthesise (turn carbon dioxide into oxygen), inhibiting their growth. High ozone concentrations can also lead to fungal diseases in plants.

Meanwhile, pollution can be washed out by rain from both the air and off buildings and roads. It enters our water ways, polluting our water and affecting fish and other marine life.