Air pollutants and sources monitored
Air pollution can contain a mix of solid particles, liquid droplets and gases from a variety of sources including heavy industry, such as manufacturing and fossil fuel combustion, motor vehicles and heating appliances.
Air pollution can also be created by natural events such as bush fires, and can contain windblown dust, pollen and mould spores.
Air pollution can vary greatly depending on the season, weather and the types and numbers of sources.
Check current air quality readings.
Pollutants monitored
ACT Health monitors 5 air pollutants:
- PM2.5
- PM10
- ozone
- nitrogen dioxide
- carbon monoxide
Each of these air pollutants are assessed against their Australian standard.
| Pollutant | Averaging period | Air NEPM Standard |
|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 | 24 hours | 25 micrograms per cubic meter(µg/m3) |
| PM10 | 24 hours | 50 micrograms per cubic meter(µg/m3) |
| Carbon monoxide | 8 hours | 9.0 parts per million (ppm) |
| Nitrogen dioxide | 1 hour | 0.08 parts per million (ppm) |
| Ozone | 8 hours | 0.065 parts per million (ppm) |
PM2.5
Particulates, also known as particle pollution (or PM), are made up of a number of components including nitrates and sulfates, organic chemicals, metals and soil or dust particles.
PM2.5, or 'fine particulate matter' are particles with diameters that are 2.5 micrometres (µm) or smaller and are commonly found in smoke and haze.
For comparison, the average human hair is about 70µm in diameter, which is 30 times larger than the PM2.5 particles measured in air quality monitoring networks.
Australian standard
The Australian Standard for PM2.5 is 25 micrograms per cubic metre, measured over a midnight-to-midnight 24-hour period.
How PM2.5 is measured in Canberra
PM2.5 is measured at the Florey, Civic and Monash stations using beta-attenuation monitors.
PM10
Particulates, also known as particle pollution (or PM), are made up of a number of components including nitrates and sulphates, organic chemicals, metals and soil or dust particles. PM10, or ‘coarse particulate matter’, are particles with diameters that are 10 micrometres (µm) or smaller.
PM10 is the main component in dust storms and commonly arises from vehicles on dirt roads and dusty industries, such as mining, crushing and grinding.
Australian standard
The Australian standard for PM10 is 50 micrograms per cubic metre, measured over a midnight-to-midnight 24-hour period.
How PM10 is measured in Canberra
PM10 is measured at the Florey, Civic and Monash stations using beta-attenuation monitors.
Ozone
Ozone is formed when volatile organic compounds (from industry, vehicles and vegetation) and oxides of nitrogen (from industry, vehicles and natural gas use) react in sunlight.
These reactions only produce significant amounts of ozone on warm sunny days with light or recirculating winds. Ozone can also form downwind of bushfires when the chemicals in smoke react in the presence of sunlight.
In the future, the higher temperatures predicted as a result of climate change are likely to lead to a greater potential for ozone formation.
Australian standard
The standard for ozone is 0.065 parts per million over an 8 hour period.
How ozone is measured in Canberra
Ozone is measured at the Florey, Civic and Monash stations using ultra-violet light analysers.
Nitrogen dioxide
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a gas mainly produced from vehicle engine exhaust. NO2 is also produced by the burning of fuels such as natural gas and diesel.
Australian standard
The Australian standard for nitrogen dioxide over a 1 hour period is 0.08 parts per million.
Health information about nitrogen dioxide
NO2 is harmful to human health, especially for children, the elderly and those with asthma.
Low levels of NO2 can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and lungs of humans and animals.
How nitrogen dioxide is measured in Canberra
Nitrogen dioxide is measured at the Florey and Monash stations using chemiluminescence analysers.
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless odourless gas mainly produced from vehicle engine exhaust.
Australian standard
The Australian standard for carbon monoxide is 9 parts per million over an 8 hour period.
How carbon monoxide is measured in Canberra
Carbon monoxide is measured at the Florey and Monash stations, using infrared analysers.
Pollutants not monitored
Due to a lack of heavy industry, the ACT does not monitor sulphur dioxide.
The ACT also stopped monitoring lead in July 2002 following the phase out of leaded fuel on 1 January 2002.