Indicator: A-34 Main sources of emissions of six pollutants (carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, lead, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds)
Data
Main national sources of carbon monoxide 2003-04
Source: National Pollutant Inventory, 2003-04 data - National Pollutant Inventory
Main national sources of oxides of nitrogen, 2003-04
Source: National Pollutant Inventory, 2003-04 data - National Pollutant Inventory
Main national sources of sulfur dioxide, 2003-04
Source: National Pollutant Inventory, 2003-04 data - National Pollutant Inventory
Main national sources of lead, 2003-04
Source: National Pollutant Inventory, 2003-04 data - National Pollutant Inventory
Main national sources of particulate matter 10 micrometres 2003-04
Source: National Pollutant Inventory, 2003-04 data - National Pollutant Inventory
Main national sources of total volatile organic compounds
Source: National Pollutant Inventory, 2003-04 data - National Pollutant Inventory
What the data mean
The data shows the main sources of emissions for six pollutants for the year 2003-04. The main source varies with the type of pollutant. However, there are a few sources that are common to some of the pollutants such as electricity supply (oxides of nitrogen, sulfur dioxide), burning of vegetation (controlled or wildfires) (carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds), motor vehicles (oxides of nitrogen, lead, volatile organic compounds) and basic non-ferrous metal manufacturing (carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, lead).
Data Limitations
Data is not available for photochemical oxidants as ozone is not emitted directly but is formed as a result of reactions involving oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds.
The National Pollutant Inventory reports estimated emissions. The techniques used to estimate emissions have been variously approved by Australian, state and territory environment agencies but the accuracy of these estimates is likely to vary according to the technique used.
For the diffuse data in particular (e.g. motor vehicles), comparative analysis of the data may be misleading, because jurisdictions may have used different approved estimation techniques. Diffuse data are the most up to date available but the diffuse data is not necessarily for the particular facility reporting year being examined. For example, diffuse data may be from a study completed in 1998-99 and the facility data from 2001-02.
Issues for which this is an indicator and why
Atmosphere — Air quality - Air quality - pressures and responses
In developing and designing air quality policy and programs, it is useful to examine what are the main sources of emissions of the six criteria or common air pollutants. These are known to have harmful effects on our health.
Other indicators for this issue:
- A-31 Implementation and effectiveness of National Environment Protection Measures
- A-32 Implementation of national fuel quality standards
- A-33 Implementation of wood heater programs
- A-35 Projections of motor vehicle travel and pollutant emissions
Further Information
Key
Links to another web site
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