Report a smoky vehicle

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Action for air

The NSW Government’s 25 year air quality management plan to reduce emissions from transport, industrial, commercial and domestic sources. more

Report a smoky vehicle

more

Action for air

The NSW Government’s 25 year air quality management plan to reduce emissions from transport, industrial, commercial and domestic sources. more

While air quality in NSW has been monitored for the past 50 years, an expanded monitoring network was established in the NSW Greater Metropolitan Region in 1992. Regular monitoring outside of this region has also been taking place since 2000.

This has enabled Government agencies like the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) to monitor air quality. 

The following pollutants are regularly measured across the state:

• carbon monoxide – 8 hour average
• nitrogen dioxide – 1 hour average
• sulfur dioxide – 1 hour average
• ozone – 1 hour and four hour average
• particles – daily average

OEH operates 14 measurement stations in the Sydney region, three in the Illawarra region, three in the Lower Hunter region, as well as sites in Albury, Wagga Wagga, Bathurst and Tamworth (shown below).

The measurements are used to calculate the Regional Air Quality Index, which is updated hourly, and to issue alerts if air pollution levels are expected to be high the following day.

Quarterly air quality reports for the NSW Greater Metropolitan Region (Sydney, the Lower hunter and Illawarra) and selected rural sites are also available for download.

While air quality in NSW has been monitored for the past 50 years, an expanded monitoring network was established in the NSW Greater Metropolitan Region in 1992. Regular monitoring outside of this region has also been taking place since 2000.

This has enabled Government agencies like the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) to monitor air quality. 

The following pollutants are regularly measured across the state:

• carbon monoxide – 8 hour average
• nitrogen dioxide – 1 hour average
• sulfur dioxide – 1 hour average
• ozone – 1 hour and four hour average
• particles – daily average

OEH operates 14 measurement stations in the Sydney region, three in the Illawarra region, three in the Lower Hunter region, as well as sites in Albury, Wagga Wagga, Bathurst and Tamworth (shown below).

The measurements are used to calculate the Regional Air Quality Index, which is updated hourly, and to issue alerts if air pollution levels are expected to be high the following day.

Quarterly air quality reports for the NSW Greater Metropolitan Region (Sydney, the Lower hunter and Illawarra) and selected rural sites are also available for download.

The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) monitors air quality at two sites near the Eastern Distributor and four sites near the M5 East. You can download fact sheets on air quality improvement plans from the RTA website.

CrossCity Motorway Pty Ltd monitors air quality near the Cross City Tunnel.

The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) monitors air quality at two sites near the Eastern Distributor and four sites near the M5 East. You can download fact sheets on air quality improvement plans from the RTA website.

CrossCity Motorway Pty Ltd monitors air quality near the Cross City Tunnel.

Remote emission-sensing devices called Smog Dogs have been used to measure the levels of pollutants emitted from the exhaust systems of individual vehicles as they drive past.

Carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen monoxide and smoke particles were measured in the streets of Parramatta, Marrickville, Baulkham Hills, Blacktown and Leichhardt. This has provided a better understanding of the current levels of emissions by a large number of motor vehicles.

Remote emission-sensing devices called Smog Dogs have been used to measure the levels of pollutants emitted from the exhaust systems of individual vehicles as they drive past.

Carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen monoxide and smoke particles were measured in the streets of Parramatta, Marrickville, Baulkham Hills, Blacktown and Leichhardt. This has provided a better understanding of the current levels of emissions by a large number of motor vehicles.

For further information on ambient air quality trends, download the technical paper Current and Projected Air Quality in NSW (PDF, 1.7MB).

You can also have a look at the Office of Environment and Heritage monitoring network.

View the Air Monitoring Plan for NSW - June 2001, prepared to track the state's compliance with the desired environmental outcomes for ambient air as set out in National Environment Protection Measure for Ambient Air Quality.

The Air Emissions Inventory for the Greater Metropolitan Region in NSW identifies how much each source contributes to air pollution so that the best plan of action can be developed.

For emissions estimates, sources and locations of 93 toxic substances Australia-wide, visit the National Pollutions Inventory website.

For further information on ambient air quality trends, download the technical paper Current and Projected Air Quality in NSW (PDF, 1.7MB).

You can also have a look at the Office of Environment and Heritage monitoring network.

View the Air Monitoring Plan for NSW - June 2001, prepared to track the state's compliance with the desired environmental outcomes for ambient air as set out in National Environment Protection Measure for Ambient Air Quality.

The Air Emissions Inventory for the Greater Metropolitan Region in NSW identifies how much each source contributes to air pollution so that the best plan of action can be developed.

For emissions estimates, sources and locations of 93 toxic substances Australia-wide, visit the National Pollutions Inventory website.