Particulate matter in Sydney’s West
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 like Sydney’s West face particular challenges in balancing
productive industry and household activities with good air quality.
Particulate matter
Sydney’s West
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.
Sydney’s West has a diverse mix of industry within a highly
urbanised environment. This region is an example of an area
that faces particular challenges to balance productive
industry and household activities, such as residential wood
heaters and the use of motor vehicles, with good air quality.
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.
Figure 1: Top emission sources of PM10 in Sydney’s West
Figures 1 and 2 show the top emission sources of PM10 and
PM2.5 respectively, in Sydney’s West.1
Non-metallic mineral mining &
quarrying
1,920
Residential wood heating
1,910
Other
941
Waste collection, treatment &
disposal services
908
Ceramic production manufacturing
671
Road, brake & tyre wear
407
Diesel vehicle exhaust
Basic chemical and chemical product
manufacturing
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.
326
212
Agriculture
130
Glass & glass product manufacturing
118
Non-metallic mineral production
manufacturing
95
Tonnes per year
Source: NSW Air Emissions Inventory, 2008, LGA’s of Auburn City,
Bankstown City, Blacktown City, Fairfield City, Holroyd City, Liverpool
City, the City of Parramatta and Penrith City.
1
Image credit: Arthur Mostead
environment.gov.au
Figure 2: Top emission sources of PM2.5 in Sydney’s West
Residential wood heating
1840
Other
592
Ceramic product manufacturing
Basic chemical & chemical product
manufacturing
Waste collection, treatment &
disposal services
Glass & glass product manufacturing
Non-road vehicles & equipment
Basic ferrous metal manufacturing
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
PM. This includes ongoing implementation of vehicle
emission and fuel quality standards.
469
Diesel vehicle exhaust
Non-metallic mineral mining &
quarrying
Road, brake & tyre wear
316
274
216
194
172
National Clean Air Agreement
114
77.93
67.45
Tonnes per year
How are emissions tracked?
State and territory governments monitor and regulate
emissions from a range of facilities such as mines, power
stations and industrial sites as well as other sources such as
households and transport.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority maintains a
detailed air emissions inventory for the Sydney Greater
Metropolitan Region, as an information source for the
community, researchers and policy-makers. Further
information can be found via:
http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/air/airinventory.htm.
The Australian Government also publishes state-level
emissions data on the National Pollutant Inventory (NPI)
online database (http://www.npi.gov.au). 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. This allows communities to view annual data
regarding the emission of pollutants that may affect them
locally.
environment.gov.au
What are governments doing to
combat particulate matter?
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 (the Agreement) to ensure that the community
continues to enjoy clean air and 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-clean-air-agr
eement.
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 understanding
of the environmental and social impacts of air pollution in
urban and peri-urban areas. A Western Air-Shed and
Particulate Study for Sydney project will contribute to the
understanding of the main drivers of poor air quality events
within the NSW greater metropolitan region. The project
will help inform future plans for monitoring air quality and
policies designed to reduce exposure to particulate matter,
with a focus on the growing population in Sydney’s West.
National ambient air quality standards
Wood heaters
The National Environment Protection (Ambient Air
Quality) Measure (Ambient Air Quality NEPM) establishes
national ambient air quality standards and provides a
national framework for monitoring and reporting on six
common air pollutants, including PM2.5 and PM10.
Emissions from wood heaters contain PM, as well as other
pollutants, which can be significant contributors to air
pollution, particularly in the cooler months.
Environment Ministers are considering changes to
strengthen the Ambient Air Quality NEPM to allow
stronger actions to mitigate particulate matter pollution.
Proposed changes include:





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.
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.
The Australian Government, in cooperation with states and
territories, is working towards a national approach to
minimise PM emissions from non-road engines.
Environment Ministers are considering additional work to
further mitigate particulate matter pollution from non-road
spark ignition engines and equipment.
The Australian Government has undertaken a number of
programmes with a focus on wood heaters and is currently
working with states and territories to find ways to further
minimise PM emissions from wood heaters. Environment
Ministers are considering these options to further mitigate
particulate matter pollution from wood heaters.
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.
environment.gov.au