Helena Joyce
Perth, the fourth most populated city in Australia, generally experiences good air quality by global standards. However, the city is not immune to air pollution. In fact, on certain days, the air quality in Perth has been 23 times the hazardous level. These exceedance days are often the result of severe weather events, wildfires, controlled burn-offs, and thermal inversions. While Perth's air quality is typically considered healthy, there are concerns about the impact of pollution on the health of its residents, with a particular focus on particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and gaseous pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air Quality | Good by global standards |
| Air Pollution Episodes | Occasional short-term, extreme episodes |
| Main Pollutants | Photochemical oxidants (ozone), particulate matter |
| Causes of Extreme Episodes | Wildfires, dust storms |
| Health Impact | Mild and temporary discomfort to serious and lasting issues, sometimes death |
| Number of Deaths in Australia Attributed to Air Pollution in 2018 | 3,236 |
| Air Quality Guidelines | Introduced by WHO to provide thresholds and limits for key air pollutants |
| Key Measures | Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) |
| Carbon Monoxide (CO) Measurement | Based on 8-hour moving clock averages |
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What You'll Learn
Overall air quality in Perth
Overall, Perth's air quality is considered good by global standards. However, it is not immune to air pollution, and there are times when the air quality in the city and its surrounding areas can be a cause for concern.
One of the main sources of air pollution in Perth is motor vehicles, which produce carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide, among other pollutants. These emissions can be trapped close to the earth's surface during a weather phenomenon called a thermal inversion, leading to a significant decrease in air quality. Additionally, the use of domestic wood heaters in the colder winter months can contribute to particulate matter pollution, particularly during periods of high demand.
Wildfires and dust storms are also responsible for occasional short-term, extreme air pollution episodes in Perth. The risk of severe wildfires is expected to increase with climate change, which will further impact the city's air quality. Furthermore, as Australia's standards for noxious emissions are less strict than those in other developed countries, there is a continued call for the introduction of more stringent emissions standards for new vehicles.
To monitor air quality, Perth uses the Air Quality Index (AQI), which measures pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5). While the AQI for Perth is currently reported as "good", there are still actions individuals can take to reduce their exposure to air pollution, such as limiting time outdoors and keeping doors and windows shut during periods of poor air quality.
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Air pollution sources
Perth, the fourth most populated city in Australia, generally experiences healthy air quality throughout the year. However, the city does face occasional short-term, extreme air pollution episodes. The main sources of air pollution in Perth include:
- Wildfires: Bushfires and controlled burn-offs contribute to air pollution in Perth. The smoke and ash from these fires contain particulate matter, which can lead to haze during the winter months and severe particulate smoke pollution during severe weather events.
- Dust: Windborne dust, including marine aerosols like salt spray, can impact air quality in Perth. This is particularly true during dust storms.
- Vehicle Emissions: Similar to other major Australian cities, tailpipe emissions from motor vehicles are a significant source of air pollution in Perth. Carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide are released during fuel combustion, along with hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. These emissions contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, often referred to as smog.
- Thermal Inversions: During a thermal inversion, a layer of hot air traps pollutants closer to the Earth's surface, including vehicle emissions and wood fire smoke, leading to poor air quality while the inversion persists.
- Domestic Wood Heaters: Wood fire smoke from domestic wood heaters, particularly during the colder months, can contribute to air pollution in Perth.
It is important to note that air pollution in Perth and across Australia can have varied health impacts, ranging from mild discomfort to more severe and long-lasting health issues.
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Health impacts of air pollution
Air pollution is a mix of hazardous substances from both human-made and natural sources. It is a major threat to global health and prosperity, causing more than 6.5 million deaths each year worldwide. Almost every organ in the body can be impacted by air pollution. The main pathway of exposure is through the respiratory tract, which can lead to inflammation, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and mutagenicity in cells throughout the body, impacting the lungs, heart, and brain, among other organs, and ultimately leading to disease.
Particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulphur dioxide (SO2) are among the pollutants with the strongest evidence for public health concern. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is of particular concern as these very small particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and travel to organs, causing systemic damage to tissues and cells. Short-term exposure to high levels of PM can lead to reduced lung function, respiratory infections, and aggravated asthma. Long-term or chronic exposure increases the risk of stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer.
Ozone, a powerful lung irritant, can cause inflammation and other damage to the lining of the small airways, impacting multiple body systems. Exposure to ozone can lead to serious respiratory problems, even in otherwise healthy young adults. Both short-term and long-term exposure to ozone can have detrimental effects on respiratory health.
Pregnant individuals and their fetuses, children, older adults, and people living with chronic conditions, especially heart and lung disease, are more susceptible to the health impacts of air pollution. Maternal exposure to air pollution is associated with adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight, pre-term birth, and small gestational age births. There is also growing evidence that air pollution may affect neurological development in children.
In Perth, Western Australia, the air quality is generally healthy throughout the year compared to global locations. However, the city does experience occasional short-term, extreme air pollution episodes, often caused by wildfires and dust storms. The main pollutants of concern in Perth are photochemical oxidants (measured as ozone) and particulate matter pollution, which frequently exceed Australian air quality standards. Vehicle emissions and smoke from activities, including bushfires and domestic wood heaters, are the two primary causes of air pollution in the city.
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Air quality monitoring
Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, generally enjoys good air quality by global standards for most of the year. However, it is not immune to air pollution challenges. The city has experienced occasional short-term episodes of extreme air pollution, often resulting from wildfires and dust storms. These events can cause a significant increase in particulate matter and ozone levels, leading to hazardous air quality conditions.
To address this issue, the Western Australian government has implemented the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure (Air NEPM). This framework sets standards for acceptable air quality levels, aiming to mitigate the health impacts of air pollution. Additionally, real-time air pollution maps and forecasting tools are available to the public, providing valuable information about current and predicted air quality conditions. These tools help residents make informed decisions to protect their health during periods of poor air quality.
Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced Air Quality Guidelines to encourage global action on air pollution. These guidelines provide thresholds and limits for key air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulphur dioxide (SO2) gases. By following these guidelines, Perth can strive to maintain and improve its air quality, ensuring the well-being of its residents.
To access real-time air quality data in Perth, residents can utilise various tools and plugins. For Windows users, the Perth Air Quality Widget is available for download, providing desktop access to local air quality information. Similarly, the aqicn Air Quality plugin can be installed on web browsers like Chrome and Firefox, offering easy access to Perth's air pollution levels. These tools empower individuals to stay informed and take proactive measures to protect their health when air pollution levels are elevated.
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Government action and standards
The government has implemented various measures and standards to address the issue of pollution in Perth, recognising the need to improve air quality and reduce the health risks associated with pollution.
One of the key actions has been the introduction of the Perth Air Quality Strategy, which aims to monitor and manage air pollution in the city. As part of this strategy, the government has deployed a network of air quality monitoring stations across Perth to provide
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Frequently asked questions
Perth's air quality is generally considered good by global standards. However, Australia is the only developed country without mandatory carbon dioxide standards for new light vehicles, and its noxious emissions standards are less strict than those of other countries.
The main sources of air pollution in Perth are wildfires, dust storms, smoke from domestic woodfire heaters, vehicle emissions, and marine aerosols like salt spray.
The health impacts of air pollution can range from mild and temporary discomfort to more serious and lasting issues, and sometimes even death. The latest figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare revealed that air pollution contributed to an estimated 3,236 deaths in 2018.
Perth experiences good air quality most of the time, but there are occasional short-term periods of extreme air pollution. These "exceedance days" happen when air quality exceeds safe pollutant levels, and they can be caused by severe weather events, wildfires, controlled burn-offs, or thermal inversions.
You can stay informed about Perth's air quality by using real-time air pollution maps and apps, such as the IQAir AirVisual air pollution app, which provides a 7-day Perth air quality forecast.
