Air Pollution in Victoria – Report by EPA Victoria

Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) recently published a report on Air Pollution in Victoria.

Dr Andrea Hinwood, EPA Chief Environmental Scientist said “Air Pollution in Victoria is a summary of our current state of knowledge that summarises our current knowledge about –
• air quality,
• sources,
• trends, and
• impacts in Victoria.”

“The report also outlines the applied science work we will need in future to inform management actions to protect human health and the environment from air pollution.”

The report outlines some of the current evidence in relation to air quality and health, and provides some of the new evidence about exposure to air pollutants and health effects that has emerged in the last few years.

According to the report, air pollution in Victoria comes from a range of natural and anthropogenic sources. Primary pollutants are directly emitted through combustion activities, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and PM2.5 from motor vehicles, or from mechanical processes, such as PM10 in wind-blown dust. Secondary pollutants are produced from chemical reactions between other pollutants in the atmosphere, such as PM2.5 and ozone which is formed from volatile organic compounds and nitrous oxides in sunlight.

In 2017, EPA’s monitoring showed a significant increase in the number days when PM2.5 air quality standards were exceeded.

Elevated PM2.5 concentrations on cool winter days with still conditions are generally associated with wood fire heaters combined with general urban air pollution from Industry and motor vehicles.

Dr Hinwood said the EPA is increasing its capacity to provide air monitoring around the state and providing the community with real time information. “With the right information and knowledge, we can develop new and innovative ways for government, industry and community to protect the environment from the effects of pollution and waste.”

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On Linkedin