Managing air quality

Between 2012 and 2015, the EPA led a review of the Ambient Air Quality NEPM. The result was the adoption of the most stringent national standards for fine particles in the world.

Environment Ministers from all states and territories agreed to vary the Ambient Air Quality NEPM to

• adopt an annual-average standard of 8 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m³) and a 24-hour standard of 25 μg/m³ for PM_2.5 fine particles
• initiate a nationally consistent approach to reporting population exposure to PM_2.5
• include an annual average standard for PM₁₀ particles of 25 μg/m³
• replace the five-day exceedance rule of the PM₁₀ standard with an ‘exceptional events rule’ which also applies to the 24-hour PM_2.5 standard
• initiate a nationally consistent approach to reporting population exposure to PM_2.5.

Under review are

• reporting standards for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and ozone (O₃)
• Ambient Air Quality NEPM monitoring protocols

Find out more about

• fine particles
• managing particle pollution
• other types of air pollution

• EPA's NSW State of the Environment 2018: Air Quality provides a comprehensive report on ambient air quality and sources of air emissions.
• The air emissions inventory provides a detailed account of the major natural and human-made sources of air pollution in the NSW greater metropolitan region (GMR). The GMR covers 57,330 km² and includes the greater Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong regions where about 75% of the NSW population lives.
• The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) operates a comprehensive air quality monitoring network. Information is updated hourly online.

As part of its role, the EPA works to reduce air emissions from premises it licenses. The LBL scheme and pollution reduction programs support industries in reducing air pollutant emissions, such as oxides of nitrogen, particles, volatile organic compounds, chlorine, dioxins, furans and heavy metals which arise from industrial activities and plant. 

Some major EPA initiatives underway

• The Sydney Particle Characterisation Study involved analysis of existing PM_2.5 datasets for four Sydney sampling sites. Positive Matrix Factorisation (PMF) source apportionment was undertaken based on samples collected at Lucas Heights, Richmond, Mascot and Liverpool over a 15 year period (2000-2014). 
• Managing the Diesel and Marine Emissions Management Strategy that sets out measures to reduce emissions from non-road diesel equipment, such as construction and coal mining equipment, locomotives and shipping.
• Managing particles and improving air quality in NSW - a strategy to reduce particle pollution from sources such as coal mines, non-road diesel machinery, shipping and wood smoke. Read about other programs to reduce particle pollution.
• Reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds from petrol through vapour recovery controls, with 96% of designated service stations having Stage 1 vapour recovery equipment by 30 June 2016.
• Coordinating the Interim NO_x Policy for Cogeneration in Sydney and the Illawarra (PDF ) that sets out a policy framework for managing emissions of ground-level ozone and nitrogen dioxide from gas-fired cogeneration and trigeneration facilities.
• Ensuring that coal mines implement the most reasonable and feasible particulate control options through programs like Dust Stop, Dust Patrol and Bust the Dust.
• Managing and updating the Air Emissions Inventory for the Greater Metropolitan Region (GMR) in NSW which informs the community about emissions and their sources for hundreds of different air pollutants in the GMR, where about 75% of the NSW population lives.
• Coordinating or contributing to various air quality studies to add to evidence and improve knowledge related to air quality and its impacts, for use in future planning decisions and to inform policy development.
• Managing the load-based licensing scheme and pollution reduction programs to support industries in reducing emissions.

The graphic shows ways in which Stage 1 Vapour Recovery reduces emissions of volatile organic compounds from petrol.

Working with other agencies and local communities enables the EPA to make more informed decisions. The EPA values the knowledge state agencies, local government, representative groups and local communities bring to the content and direction of policies and strategies.

The EPA regularly works with

• NSW Health on issues such as the health effects of fine particle pollution
• community committees such as the Newcastle Community Consultative Committee on the Environment and the Upper Hunter Air Quality Advisory Committee, to allow community members to identify important air quality issues and allow local and regional industry to understand the community's concerns
• local government in reducing air emissions from local domestic, commercial and industrial sources in their area

The Local Government Air Quality toolkit provides local councils with information on

• the sources and impacts of air pollution
• the regulatory framework for protecting air quality in NSW
• air quality management procedures and technologies