State of the Environment

2006

Indicator: A-29 Concentrations of Particles PM10 and PM2.5 in regional areas

Data

Number of days with TEOM 24-hour average PM10> 50 ug/m3 for selected regional sites
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Beresfield NSW 5 9 6 6 0 0 1 3
Albion Park NSW 2 5 0 2 1
Wollongong NSW 5 4 3 2 1 0 3 4
Albury NSW 0
Bathurst NSW 0 0
Tamworth NSW 0 0
Wagga Wagga NSW 2
Helensvale Qld 0 0 5 0
South Gladstone Qld 4 4
Bunbury WA 0 0 1
Dampier WA 0 3 18

Source: Table A4.40 (p.257) of State of the Air Report

Highest 24-hour average PM10 (TEOM) concentrations (ug/m3) for selected regional sites
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Beresfield NSW 81.6 66.2 100.6 71.8 46.2 48 53.6 81
Albion Park NSW 61.6 63.6 48.8 62.5 58.7
Wollongong NSW 104.1 61.1 69.6 64.8 56.9 40.2 58.1 68.2
Albury NSW 28.8
Bathurst NSW 35.2 35.6
Tamworth NSW 21.1 34.6
Wagga Wagga NSW 69.8
Helensvale Qld 40.2 37.4 86.8 39.6
South Gladstone Qld 65.2 66.7
Bunbury WA 40 42.4 57.6
Dampier WA 44 79.5 107.7
NEPM 24 hour standard 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50

Source: Table A4.41 (p.258) of State of the Air Report

Highest 24-hour average PM2.5 (TEOM) concentrations (ug/m3) for selected regional sites
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Beresfield NSW 18.5 21.4 34.1 66.4
Wollongong NSW 18.8 19.4 31.1 53.4
Bunbury WA 35.4 33.2 30 29.2 47.3
NEPM 24 hour advisory reporting standard 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25

Source: Table A4.56 (p.276) of State of the Air Report

Number of days with TEOM 24-hour average PM2.5> 25 ug/m3 for selected regional sites
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Beresfield NSW 0 0 2 9
Wollongong NSW 0 0 1 2
Bunbury WA 5 3 1 3 2

Source: Table A4.55 (p.275) of State of the Air Report

Number of days with HiVol daily average PM10> 50 ug/m3 for selected regional sites
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
Newcastle NSW 0 4 2 1 1 0 0 0 1
Beresfield NSW 1 3 4 2 1 0 0 0 1
Wollongong NSW 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Albion Park NSW 1 2 0 3 0
Kembla Grange NSW 5 5 2 2 2 0 3 2
Wollongong NSW 0 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Launceston (Ti-Tree Bend), Tas 27 25 7 15 9 51 47 43 39 28
Whyalla, SA 7 10 3 2 5 3 2 3 7

Source: Table A4.46 (p.263) of State of the Air Report

What the data mean

Data is presented for both ‘inhalable particles’ (PM10) and ‘respirable particles’ (PM2.5). Using the TEOM measurement method, there are three locations of particular interest for PM10; Beresfield and Wollongong in New South Wales and Dampier in Western Australia. All of these have exceeded the 24 hour National Environment Protection Measure standard of 50 ug/m3 on several occasions over the reporting period, 1991 to 2001. In 2001, Dampier exceeded the standard on 18 days. However, using the HiVol method, Launceston in Tasmania had a very high exceedence level, mostly due to woodsmoke.

While there is no enforceable National Environment Protection Measure standard as of yet for PM2.5, there is a 24 hour advisory reporting standard of 25 ug/m3. There are three locations of particular interest for PM2.5; Beresfield, Wollongong and Bunbury in Western Australia. The most significant of these is the Beresfield, which is located near the industrialised area of Newcastle.

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 - Regional air quality 

Particles less than 10 micrometres (µm) are referred to as PM10 and are called ‘inhalable particles’. Particles less than 2.5µm are known as PM2.5 or ‘respirable particles’.

The main sources of include motor vehicles, domestic wood heaters, bushfires and controlled burns, wind-blown dust, sea-salt, industrial facilities such as power stations, and photochemical processes.

The specific effects of particulate matter will depend on its composition, concentration and the presence of other pollutants such as acid forming gases. However, particles are associated with increased respiratory symptoms, aggravation of asthma, increased hospitalisation for heart and lung diseases, and premature death in humans and animals. Atmospheric particle concentrations are a direct indicator for this issue.

Other indicators for this issue:

Human Settlements — Liveability of human settlements - Air quality 

Particles less than 10 micrometres (µm) are referred to as PM10 and are called ‘inhalable particles’. Particles less than 2.5 µm are known as PM2.5 or ‘respirable particles’.

The main sources of include motor vehicles, domestic wood heaters, bushfires and controlled burns, wind-blown dust, sea-salt, industrial facilities such as power stations, and photochemical processes.

The specific effects of particulate matter will depend on its composition, concentration and the presence of other pollutants such as acid forming gases. However, particles are associated with increased respiratory symptoms, aggravation of asthma, increased hospitalisation for heart and lung diseases, and premature death in humans and animals. Atmospheric particle concentrations are a direct indicator for this issue.

Other indicators for this issue:

Further Information

Key

   Links to another web site
   Links to data in the DRS
   Opens a pop-up window

Before you download

Some documents are available as PDF files. You will need a PDF reader to view PDF files.
List of PDF readers 

If you are unable to access a publication, please contact us to organise a suitable alternative format.