Indicator: A-25 Concentrations of ozone in regional areas

Data

Highest daily maximum 1-hour O₃ concentrations (ppm) by monitoring station 1991-2001 - regional
	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001
Newcastle NSW			0.101	0.062	0.069	0.056	0.141	0.08	0.066	0.071	0.072
Wallsend NSW			0.085	0.083	0.052	0.056	0.129	0.095	0.069	0.073	0.078
Albion Park NSW							0.144	0.14	0.09	0.106	0.088
Kembla Grange NSW				0.112	0.089	0.083	0.124	0.137	0.101	0.117	0.119
Wollongong NSW			0.115	0.12	0.097	0.066	0.12	0.105	0.087	0.108	0.116
Bathurst NSW											0.063
Geelong Vic	0.08	0.078	0.117	0.096	0.071	0.091		0.083	0.073	0.065	0.082
Traralgon Vic	0.045	0.053	0.055	0.061	0.05	0.049	0.072	0.075	0.06	0.056	0.064
Moe Vic	0.06	0.61	0.047	0.059	0.068	0.052	0.072	0.046	0.063	0.066	0.07
Helensvale Qld								0.085	0.082	0.098	0.09
Rockingham WA					0.043	0.091	0.078	0.082	0.076	0.083	0.076
Rolling Green WA			0.11	0.092	0.088	0.104	0.134	0.109	0.096	0.092	0.097
Dampier WA								0.046	0.064	0.064
NEPM 1-hour standard	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1

Source: Table A4.16 (p.218) of State of the Air Report

Number of days with daily maximum 1-hour O₃ > 0.10 ppm for selected regional sites
	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001
Newcastle NSW			1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
Wallsend NSW			0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
Albion Park NSW							5	2	0	1	0
Kembla Grange NSW				1	0	0	4	2	1	3	2
Wollongong NSW			2	2	0	0	4	1	0	1	1
Bathurst NSW											0
Geelong Vic	0	0	1	0	0	0		0	0	0	0
Traralgon Vic	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Moe Vic	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Helensvale Qld								0	0	0	0
Rockingham WA					0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Rolling Green WA			1	0	0	2	1	1	0	0	0
Dampier WA								0	0	0

Source: Table A4.15 (p.217) State of the Air Report

Highest daily maximum 4-hour O₃ concentrations (ppm) by monitoring station 1991-2001 - regional
	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001
Newcastle NSW			0.092	0.052	0.063	0.055	0.125	0.068	0.065	0.066	0.069
Wallsend NSW			0.077	0.064	0.048	0.053	0.105	0.084	0.059	0.07	0.073
Albion Park NSW							0.124	0.116	0.081	0.083	0.082
Kembla Grange NSW				0.089	0.063	0.062	0.1	0.117	0.082	0.089	0.092
Wollongong NSW			0.085	0.087	0.07	0.056	0.113	0.082	0.073	0.086	0.091
Bathurst NSW											0.061
Geelong Vic	0.07	0.068	0.095	0.087	0.065	0.076		0.076	0.063	0.057	0.075
Traralgon Vic	0.043	0.039	0.053	0.053	0.048	0.043	0.064	0.058	0.053	0.05	0.052
Moe Vic	0.055	0.042	0.042	0.052	0.059	0.047	0.067	0.044	0.045	0.056	0.054
Helensvale Qld								0.061	0.07	0.082	0.074
Rockingham WA					0.039	0.085	0.07	0.074	0.067	0.078	0.071
Rolling Green WA			0.092	0.084	0.08	0.086	0.124	0.095	0.077	0.076	0.094
Dampier WA								0.043	0.062	0.058

Source: Table A4.21 (p.223) of State of the Air Report

Number of days with daily maximum 4-hour O₃ > 0.080 ppm for selected regional sites
	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001
Newcastle NSW			1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
Wallsend NSW			0	0	0	0	2	1	0	0	0
Albion Park NSW							5	5	1	3	1
Kembla Grange NSW				1	0	0	5	5	1	4	2
Wollongong NSW			1	3	0	0	4	1	0	3	1
Bathurst NSW											0
Geelong Vic	0	0	2	1	0	0		0	0	0	0
Traralgon Vic	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Moe Vic	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Helensvale Qld								0	0	1	0
Rockingham WA					0	1	0	0	0	0	0
Rolling Green WA			1	1	0	5	2	2	0	0	2
Dampier WA								0	0	0

Source: Table A4.20 (p.222) State of the Air Report

Most regional monitoring sites show fairly constant levels of ozone concentrations that are below the National Environment Protection Measure standard. The New South Wales monitoring sites of Kembla Grange and Wollongong currently exceed the one and four hour standards, while Albion Park in New South Wales and Rolling Green in Western Australia, exceed the four hour standard.

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

Ozone is an important constituent of the stratosphere, where it protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. However, at ground level, it is a major health and environmental concern. At ground level, ozone is not emitted directly but is formed as a result of reactions involving oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds.

The main sources of volatile organic compounds are from vegetation (biogenic), motor vehicles, refineries and petrochemicals.

Ozone has adverse health effects on various parts of the respiratory system. Prolonged short-term exposures have been linked with significant decreases in lung function and increased respiratory symptoms, as well as aggravation of pre-existing respiratory diseases such as asthma. Ozone also has adverse effects on vegetation and building materials. Atmospheric concentrations of ozone are a direct indicator for this issue.

Other indicators for this issue:

Human Settlements — Liveability of human settlements - Air quality

The main sources of volatile organic compounds are from vegetation (biogenic), motor vehicles, refineries and petrochemicals.

Other indicators for this issue:

Further Information

State of the air: National ambient air quality status and trends report 1991-2001

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State of the Environment

2006