Indicator: A-17 Concentrations of carbon monoxide in urban areas
Data
Highest daily CO maximum 8-hour concentrations in capital cities
Source: State of the Air Report, Table A4.2 (p.200)
| 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 20 | 17 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Adelaide | 10 | 10 | 20 | 9 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Canberra | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source: State of the Air Report, Table A4.1 (p.199)
What the data mean
The data for urban carbon monoxide levels shows that no capital city currently exceeds the National Environment Protection Measure daily eight hour standard of nine parts per million. In the case of Sydney and Adelaide, this is a significant improvement on data prior to 1997. Apart from Canberra, no other cities have had exceedences of the standard over the reporting period 1991 to 2001.
Data Limitations
Comparisons of historical data sets across the nation are difficult due to lack of harmonisation in network designs, and in sampling, analysis, quality control and reporting practices. In addition, discontinuities and changes in data collection and reporting practices can distort trend analysis results.
Issues for which this is an indicator and why
Atmosphere — Air quality - Urban air quality
The main sources of carbon monoxide are from motor vehicles and from wildfires and vegetation (e.g. hazard reduction) and agricultural burning.
Carbon monoxide combines with haemoglobin to reduce the oxygen carrying ability of the blood. Long term (chronic) exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide may produce heart disease and damage to the nervous system. Exposure of pregnant women to carbon monoxide may cause low birthrates and nervous system damage to offspring.
High levels of carbon monoxide will cause the same problems for animals that are experienced by us, although these levels are very unlikely to be encountered in the environment except during extreme events like bushfires. Exposure of pregnant animals to carbon monoxide may cause low birthrates and nervous system damage to the offspring. At high levels carbon monoxide will cause illness (fatigue, gastric upset) to animals. Atmospheric concentrations of carbon monoxide are a direct indicator for this issue.
Other indicators for this issue:
- A-18 Concentrations of ozone in urban areas
- A-19 Concentration of lead in urban areas
- A-20 Concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in urban areas
- A-21 Concentration of sulphur dioxide in urban areas
- A-22 Concentration of Particles PM10 and PM2.5 in urban areas
- A-23 Concentration of benzene in urban areas
Human Settlements — Liveability of human settlements - Air quality
Carbon monoxide combines with haemoglobin to reduce the oxygen carrying ability of the blood. Long term (chronic) exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide may produce heart disease and damage to the nervous system. Exposure of pregnant women to carbon monoxide may cause low birthrates and nervous system damage to offspring.
Very high levels of carbon monoxide will cause the same problems for animals that are experienced by us, although these levels are very unlikely to be encountered in the environment except during extreme events like bushfires. At high levels carbon monoxide will cause illness (fatigue, gastric upset) to animals. Exposure of pregnant animals to carbon monoxide may cause low birthrates and nervous system damage to the offspring. Atmospheric concentrations of carbon monoxide are a direct indicator for this issue.
Other indicators for this issue:
- A-18 Concentrations of ozone in urban areas
- A-19 Concentration of lead in urban areas
- A-20 Concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in urban areas
- A-21 Concentration of sulphur dioxide in urban areas
- A-22 Concentration of Particles PM10 and PM2.5 in urban areas
- A-23 Concentration of benzene in urban areas
- A-24 Concentrations of carbon monoxide in regional areas
- A-25 Concentrations of ozone in regional areas
- A-26 Concentrations of lead in regional areas
- A-27 Concentration of nitrogen dioxide in regional areas
- A-28 Concentrations of sulphur dioxide in regional areas
- A-29 Concentrations of Particles PM10 and PM2.5 in regional areas
- A-30 Concentration of benzene in regional areas
- CO-70 Examples or case studies of localised impacts of windborne dust and smoke
Further Information
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