Action for air

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

By monitoring air quality we're able to detect patterns in pollutant levels and then predict what is likely to happen in the future. This allows us to be better informed about the actions we need to take to improve our air quality.

By monitoring air quality we're able to detect patterns in pollutant levels and then predict what is likely to happen in the future. This allows us to be better informed about the actions we need to take to improve our air quality.

Mudgee Station
Image courtesy of Rosie Nicholai

In winter, the use of solid fuels for heating is a major source of particle pollution across cities and rural areas. This can build up to high levels on days with no wind.

During summer, bushfires and dust storms are mostly responsible for increased particle levels across NSW. Bushfires can also be a major source of VOCs which can lead to high ground-level ozone levels in calm, sunny conditions.

The incidence of bushfires and dust storms is increasing due to the prolonged drought conditions that are occuring as a result of climate change. The extreme temperatures that are predicted are likely to make matters worse, as the heat will not only lead to a higher incidence of bushfires but also provide the conditions needed for ozone to form.

Ozone pollution is also partly caused by NOx emitted by industry like coal mining in regional areas and motor vehicles in Sydney.

Mudgee Station
Image courtesy of Rosie Nicholai

In winter, the use of solid fuels for heating is a major source of particle pollution across cities and rural areas. This can build up to high levels on days with no wind.

During summer, bushfires and dust storms are mostly responsible for increased particle levels across NSW. Bushfires can also be a major source of VOCs which can lead to high ground-level ozone levels in calm, sunny conditions.

The incidence of bushfires and dust storms is increasing due to the prolonged drought conditions that are occuring as a result of climate change. The extreme temperatures that are predicted are likely to make matters worse, as the heat will not only lead to a higher incidence of bushfires but also provide the conditions needed for ozone to form.

Ozone pollution is also partly caused by NOx emitted by industry like coal mining in regional areas and motor vehicles in Sydney.

Sydney's geography means that its basin shape captures air pollution.

With a growing population, more cars and trucks on the road and predicted hotter days, air pollution is expected to increase. 

Historical data for Sydney is collected by the Office of Environment and Heritage. It shows that in Sydney:

• About 60 per cent of days fall into the Very Good to Good range. These are generally wet, cool or windy days.
• 30 per cent of days fall into the Fair category. This is generally when the weather is calm and still during the cooler months (creating particle build-up seen as a grey haze) or when the weather is very hot and still during summer (creating ground-level ozone build-up seen as smog).
• The 10 per cent of days in the Poor or Very Poor range and relate to high ozone levels in summer – usually preceded by very hot weather. West and south-west Sydney experience more frequent ozone exceedences than elsewhere in the Sydney region.
• Sydney only experiences a Hazardous day during extreme events like bushfires or dust storms which generate a lot of particle pollution. Between 2004 and 2006, Sydney experienced 13 hazardous days.

Sydney's geography means that its basin shape captures air pollution.

With a growing population, more cars and trucks on the road and predicted hotter days, air pollution is expected to increase. 

Historical data for Sydney is collected by the Office of Environment and Heritage. It shows that in Sydney:

• About 60 per cent of days fall into the Very Good to Good range. These are generally wet, cool or windy days.
• 30 per cent of days fall into the Fair category. This is generally when the weather is calm and still during the cooler months (creating particle build-up seen as a grey haze) or when the weather is very hot and still during summer (creating ground-level ozone build-up seen as smog).
• The 10 per cent of days in the Poor or Very Poor range and relate to high ozone levels in summer – usually preceded by very hot weather. West and south-west Sydney experience more frequent ozone exceedences than elsewhere in the Sydney region.
• Sydney only experiences a Hazardous day during extreme events like bushfires or dust storms which generate a lot of particle pollution. Between 2004 and 2006, Sydney experienced 13 hazardous days.

You can find detailed information about air quality in NSW in the Current and projected air quality in NSW technical paper (PDF, 1.7MB) on the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH)website.

The Air Quality Index on the OEH website provides hourly updates on ozone, nitrogen dioxide, visibility, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and particle (PM₁₀) levels for each region.

The State of the Air in Australia 1999 - 2008 on the Australian Government's Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts website brings together data from all States and Territories on the six key pollutants.

Find out what you can do to help clear the air.

You can find detailed information about air quality in NSW in the Current and projected air quality in NSW technical paper (PDF, 1.7MB) on the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH)website.

The Air Quality Index on the OEH website provides hourly updates on ozone, nitrogen dioxide, visibility, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and particle (PM₁₀) levels for each region.

The State of the Air in Australia 1999 - 2008 on the Australian Government's Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts website brings together data from all States and Territories on the six key pollutants.

Find out what you can do to help clear the air.