Brian Barton
Melbourne's air pollution is caused by a combination of human activities and natural events. While the city's air quality has improved since 1973, certain human activities, such as motor vehicle emissions, wood heaters, and industrial processes, continue to be the main sources of air pollution in Melbourne. Natural events, such as bushfires, also significantly contribute to poor air quality in the city.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common outdoor air pollutants | Carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) |
| Health effects of common outdoor air pollutants | Increasing risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections, COPD, lung cancer, asthma attacks, eye, nose and throat irritation |
| Main sources of air pollution | Motor vehicle emissions, power generation, smoke from wood heaters, planned burning, bushfires, heavy industry, dust storms, fossil fuel combustion |
| Areas with worse air conditions | Low-lying areas, areas within 100 metres of major roads |
| Air pollution events | High levels on summer days due to the effect of sunlight on airborne pollutants, creating 'photochemical oxidants' like ozone; winter days with calm weather when pollutants build up |
| Air quality | Meets Australian and World Health Organisation annual targets for PM2.5; overall, Australian pollution levels are relatively low by global standards |
| Impact of natural disasters | Bushfires and land burning can cause extremely high levels of air pollution, as seen during the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires when Melbourne's air pollution was briefly the highest in the world |
| Cost of air pollution | Health impacts from transport-related air pollution in Victoria were estimated to cost $660 million to $1.5 billion AUD in 2005, equivalent to $470 million to $1.07 billion USD |
| Public health campaigns | There has been a lack of mass public health campaigns to address air pollution, despite its deadly health impacts |
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Vehicle emissions
People living near major roads, such as Robert Richards, who resides below the West Gate Freeway, are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of vehicle emissions. Richards has shared his experience of constantly dealing with a layer of black dust that settles on his house, cars, and even inside his home. This issue is not unique to Richards, as Melbourne's inner west faces similar challenges due to the combination of heavy industry and the thousands of trucks travelling through its suburban streets daily.
The health consequences of vehicle emissions are significant. In Melbourne, the health impacts of transport-related air pollution were estimated to cost a staggering $660 million to $1.5 billion (AUD) in 2005, highlighting the economic burden of vehicle emissions on society. Additionally, a 2020 Victorian Government report found that Melbourne's inner west had the highest rate of childhood asthma in the state and higher-than-average hospital admissions for diseases linked to air pollution, including heart disease, lung cancer, and stroke.
While Melbourne's air quality has improved since the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria began monitoring it in 1973, vehicle emissions remain a critical concern. The city's low-lying areas, such as valleys, tend to experience worse air conditions due to the settling of pollutants, especially during calm nights. Furthermore, on "air pollution or air quality alert" days, individuals with respiratory conditions and heart disease are advised to refrain from strenuous exercise to minimise their exposure to harmful pollutants.
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Bushfires
Bushfire smoke contains a mixture of gases and fine particles produced when wood, plants, and other organic materials burn. These fine particles, or particulate matter, are one of the primary concerns for human health, as they can be inhaled deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. The size of these particles is typically less than 2.5 microns in diameter, often referred to as PM2.5. Exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. Short-term effects can include eye, nose, and throat irritation, as well as asthma attacks.
The 2019-2020 bushfires in Australia were unprecedented in their size and intensity, leading to a catastrophic loss of habitat and human and animal life across eastern Australia. During this period, Melbourne's air pollution levels surged, with PM2.5 concentrations peaking at 470 μg/m3, far exceeding the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Australian government's shared 24-hour exposure limit of 25 μg/m3. This exposure to high levels of PM2.5 has been associated with increased all-cause, all-age mortality, particularly in highly populated cities like Melbourne.
In addition to particulate matter, bushfires release other harmful pollutants, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds. Carbon monoxide, a toxic gas, can reduce the blood's ability to carry oxygen, while nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide can trigger asthma attacks and cause respiratory issues. Furthermore, the impact of bushfires on air quality can persist even after the fires have been extinguished. This was evident in the aftermath of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, one of the largest in Australian history, which emitted approximately four million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere.
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Industrial processes
The impact of industrial activities on air quality is evident in Melbourne's inner west, where thousands of trucks travel through suburban streets daily en route to the Port of Melbourne and other industrial areas. This heavy traffic has raised concerns about air quality in the region, which recorded the state's highest rate of childhood asthma and above-average hospital admissions for air pollution-related diseases.
Additionally, the nearby West Gate Freeway, a major road link to Melbourne's west, has been associated with air pollution affecting nearby residents. The freeway's proximity to residential areas has resulted in black dust settling on homes, vehicles, and even inside houses, requiring regular cleaning.
While Melbourne's air quality has improved since the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria began monitoring in 1973, industrial activities continue to play a role in the city's air pollution levels. The combination of heavy industry and traffic emissions from trucks and other vehicles contributes to the overall air quality issues in Melbourne, particularly in specific areas like the inner west.
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Power generation
Melbourne's air quality is considered to be relatively good by international standards. However, air pollution is still a significant concern, particularly in the inner west of the city, where heavy industry and thousands of trucks travelling through suburban streets contribute to poor air quality. Power generation is one of the main sources of air pollution in Melbourne, along with motor vehicle emissions and smoke from wood heaters.
The combustion of fuels, such as gas, wood, and coal, contributes significantly to air pollution levels in Melbourne. This combustion releases various pollutants into the air, including carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and sulphur dioxide (SO2). These pollutants have been linked to a range of health issues, including respiratory disorders, asthma attacks, and cardiovascular problems.
The impact of power generation on air quality in Melbourne is significant. The Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning (DELWP) estimated that pollution from the electricity sector cost the state $420 to $600 million AUD in health impacts in a single year. This figure is based on 2005 data and is likely to have increased due to factors such as anticipated climate change and population growth.
While Melbourne's annual average concentration of PM2.5 met both Australian and World Health Organisation targets in 2019, the city experienced extremely high levels of air pollution during the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires. On January 14, 2020, Melbourne's PM2.5 levels peaked at 470 μg/m3, registering as the highest in the world. This highlights the vulnerability of Melbourne's air quality to short-term pollution events, even as overall pollution levels have shown a decreasing trend since 1973.
To address the issue of air pollution from power generation, Melbourne and Australia have implemented some of the strictest air quality standards globally. The country targets an annual average PM2.5 limit of 8 μg/m3, which is more stringent than the standards set by the World Health Organisation, the United States, and Europe. Additionally, public health campaigns and initiatives by residents, scientists, and government bodies are ongoing to reduce the impact of air pollution on the community.
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Climate change
Melbourne's air quality is considered relatively good by international standards. However, climate change and population growth are expected to increase emissions of pollutants from domestic and business activities, such as heating and other temperature-related activities.
The city's air pollution levels have been steadily decreasing since the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria started monitoring them in 1973. Nevertheless, climate change remains a significant concern for Melbourne's air quality. The Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning (DELWP) estimates that the health impacts of air pollution in Melbourne cost the state $420 to $600 million AUD ($300 to $427 million USD) in just one year. This figure is based on pollution generated by the electricity sector alone. Transport-related air pollution is estimated to cost even more, at $660 million to $1.5 billion AUD ($470 million to $1.07 billion USD).
The main sources of air pollution in Melbourne are motor vehicle emissions, power generation, and smoke from wood heaters, planned burning, and bushfires. Around 75% of the city's air pollution is caused by vehicle emissions, primarily from the combustion of petroleum but also from other fuels like gas, wood, and coal. The combustion of these fuels releases pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, and sulphur dioxide.
The health effects of breathing in these contaminants are significant. Carbon monoxide reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen, while nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and sulphur dioxide can trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory disorders. Particulate matter, specifically PM2.5, has been linked to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. Short-term effects include aggravating asthma and eye, nose, and throat irritation.
While Melbourne's annual average concentration of PM2.5 met both Australian and World Health Organisation (WHO) targets in 2019, the Australian bushfires of 2019-2020 caused the city's air pollution levels to spike. On January 14, 2020, Melbourne's PM2.5 levels peaked at 470 μg/m3, registering as the highest in the world at the time. This was a direct result of the bushfires, highlighting the impact of natural events on the city's air quality.
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Frequently asked questions
The main sources of air pollution in Melbourne are motor vehicle emissions, power generation, and smoke from wood heaters, planned burning, bushfires, and industrial processes.
Exposure to air pollution can have a range of negative health effects, including an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and asthma.
Vehicle emissions release pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change and degrading air quality.
