Particulate matter in Tasmania
Particulate matter is an ongoing air pollution concern. Emissions of particulate
matter vary across Australia depending on the nature of local industries and
urban populations. Areas across Tasmania, in particular Launceston, face
particular challenges in balancing household activities with good air quality.
Particulate matter
Launceston, Tasmania
Airborne particulate matter (PM) is a widespread air
pollutant consisting of a mixture of solid and liquid
particles suspended in air. PM varies in size: some
particles are large enough to be seen as soot or smoke
while others can only be seen using a microscope.
Particles can be classified on the basis of their size.
Coarse particles (PM10) are those between 10 and
2.5 micrometres in diameter; fine particles (PM2.5) are
smaller than 2.5 micrometres.
Wood heaters are a popular choice for heating across
Australia in particular within Tasmania. If used
correctly so that wood is burned properly, emissions are
mostly restricted to carbon dioxide and steam (water).
However often wood is not burned completely,
creating high levels of smoke consisting of a range of
pollutants including PM.
Particles can also be classified according to their
chemical composition, which often depends on the
source. Some particles are emitted directly into the air
from a variety of sources that are either natural or
related to human activity. Natural sources include
bushfires, dust storms, pollens and sea spray. Those
related to human activity include the burning of fuels
(for example motor vehicles and other engines),
industrial processes (for example electricity generation,
mining and processing), and wood heaters. PM
pollution is the major cause of reduced visibility.
The toxicity of PM depends on both its size and
chemical composition. When breathed in, PM10 and
PM2.5 are small enough to reach the lungs and can cause
a number of health problems including respiratory
illnesses, such as asthma, bronchitis, and cardiovascular
disease. These effects are often more pronounced for
vulnerable groups, such as the very young and the
elderly.
Image credit: Arthur Mostead
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In Tasmania during the winter months, smoke from
wood heaters is the largest source of PM air emissions.
While an issue across the state, it is more of a concern in
areas where the air can get caught in valleys, like those
located in Launceston, causing pollution to accumulate
at ground level.
How is air quality monitored?
State, territory and local governments monitor and
regulate emissions from a range of facilities, such as
mines and power stations, as well as other sources such
as households and transport.
While state and territory governments have primary
responsibility for managing air pollution, including
controlling emissions from industrial sources, the
Australian Government has also taken action to reduce
emissions of particulates. This includes ongoing
implementation of vehicle emission and fuel quality
standards.
The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) is an internet
database that provides publicly available information
on pollutants to the environment. Facilities that meet
NPI reporting thresholds are required to report their
annual emissions of 93 pollutants to their state or
territory NPI team, which assess the reports for
accuracy and quality, and submits the facility data to the
Australian Government for publication on the NPI
website (www.npi.gov.au). This allows communities to
view annual data regarding the emission of pollutants
that may affect them locally.
What are governments doing
to combat particulate matter?
While state and territory governments have primary
responsibility for managing air pollution, including
controlling emissions from industrial sources, the
Australian Government has also taken action to reduce
emissions of particulates. This includes ongoing
implementation of vehicle emission and fuel quality
standards.
National Clean Air Agreement
The Australian Environment Minister,
the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, has secured the agreement of
all Australian environment ministers to establish a
National Clean Air Agreement (Agreement) to ensure
that the community continues to enjoy clean air and to
address the impacts on human health and the
environment. Australian environment ministers are
working to develop an Agreement by July 2016.
The Agreement will focus on actions to reduce air
pollution and improve air quality through cooperative
action between industry and government at the
national, state and local level. The Agreement is
designed to incorporate a range of existing, new and
complementary measures to improve Australia’s air
quality.
Further information can be found via:
http://www.environment.gov.au/national-cleanair-agreement.
National Environmental Science
Programme
The Australian Government is supporting practical and
applied environmental research under the
National Environmental Science Programme, including
$8.8 million in funding for ‘Clean Air and Urban
Landscapes Hub’. This Hub will focus on increasing the
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understanding of the environmental and social impacts
of air pollution in urban and peri-urban areas.
National ambient air quality standards
The National Environment Protection (Ambient Air
Quality) Measure (Ambient Air Quality NEPM)
establishes national ambient air quality standards and a
national framework for monitoring and reporting on six
common air pollutants, including PM2.5 and PM10.
Environment Ministers are considering changes to
strengthen the Ambient Air Quality NEPM to allow
stronger actions to mitigate PM pollution. Proposed
changes include:
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changing the advisory reporting standards for
PM2.5 to performance standards
an annual average standard for PM10
more stringent reporting standards for PM10 and
PM2.5
introducing an exposure reduction framework to
further reduce particle exposure, and
the handling of natural events and the number of
allowable exceedances per year.
Wood heaters
Emissions from wood heaters contain PM, as well as
other pollutants, which can be significant contributors
to air pollution, particularly in the cooler months.
The Australian Government has been involved with a
number of programs with a focus on wood heaters.
One successful program was the Launceston Wood
Heater Replacement Program aimed at reducing PM
emissions in the Tamar Valley. The program ended in
2013, but was successful in improving ongoing air
quality in the Launceston region.
Environment Ministers are considering options to
further mitigate PM pollution from wood heaters.
Non-road spark ignition engines and
equipment
Emissions from non-road spark ignition engines and
equipment can be a significant source of air pollution in
some urban airsheds. These engines cover a wide range
of petrol powered equipment, including marine
outboard engines and gardening equipment such as leaf
blowers and chain saws.
This equipment is a significant source of pollution
because it doesn’t have the same advanced emission
controls found in on-road engines. It emits PM at much
higher rates and contributes to ground level ozone
formation.
Environment Ministers are considering additional work
to further mitigate PM pollution from non-road spark
ignition engines and equipment.
Review of Fuel Quality Standards Act
2000
The Australian Government has commenced a review
of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 to ensure that
Australian motorists have access to high quality fuel,
which will continue to deliver improved air quality
outcomes.
The review of the Act will commence in June 2015 and
report in late 2015. The review will investigate and
report on best management practices for fuel quality. A
subsequent stage will be to consider current fuel quality
standards, including the petrol and diesel standards, to
ensure that they deliver the best possible air quality
outcomes.
© Commonwealth of Australia, 2015.
This fact sheet is licensed by Commonwealth of Australia under a
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia licence. The views
and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors
and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian Government
or the Minister for the Environment.
Note: While the Commonwealth has made reasonable efforts to
ensure the accuracy, correctness or completeness of the material,
the Commonwealth does not guarantee, and accepts no liability
whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability,
currency or completeness of this material.
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