Brian Barton
Australia is ranked as the ninth cleanest country in the world for air quality, with Canberra being the best regional city in the world for air quality. However, within Australia, there are still cities that fare worse than others in terms of pollution. According to the Australian Conservation Foundation, Mount Isa in northwest Queensland was the most polluted city in Australia for 2022. This is largely due to mining operations in the area, which are responsible for a significant amount of the city's emissions. Other Australian cities that have poorer air quality include Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Perth, and Brisbane.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most polluted city in Australia | Sydney |
| Most polluted suburb in Sydney | Botany Bay |
| Most polluted suburb in Melbourne | Altona |
| Australia's ranking in the world for cleanest air | 9th |
| Region with the cleanest air in the world | Oceania |
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What You'll Learn
- Mount Isa, Queensland: Australia's most polluted city in 2022
- Sydney: Australia's most populous city, ranked last for air quality
- Melbourne: One of the cities with the worst air pollution
- Health risks: Air pollution is the second-largest cause of death globally
- Causes: Traffic, industry, combustion engines, power generation, prescribed burns
Mount Isa, Queensland: Australia's most polluted city in 2022
Australia is known for its relatively clean air, but some cities fare worse than others when it comes to air quality. In 2022, Mount Isa in Queensland was named the most polluted city in Australia by the Australian Conservation Foundation. This outback mining city has a population of about 20,000 people and is home to Glencore's Mount Isa Mines, which is responsible for a significant amount of the region's pollution.
The Australian Conservation Foundation's report analysed the National Pollutant Inventory emission data from power stations, mines, and manufacturing plants across the country. The focus was on locations emitting large amounts of five key pollutants: sulfur dioxide, mercury, coarse and fine particulate matter, and nitrogen oxides. Mount Isa's mining operations, which include copper, lead, zinc, and silver mines, released 400,000 tonnes of sulfur dioxide, 3,800 tonnes of oxides of nitrogen, and 860kg of mercury compounds into the air during the 2020/2021 reporting period, according to the National Pollutant Inventory.
The impact of this pollution on the health of Mount Isa residents is a significant concern. Sulfur dioxide, for example, has been linked to increased respiratory symptoms, difficulty in breathing, and even premature death. Air pollution is estimated to cause about 3,000 deaths in Australia each year, and it can worsen conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. The situation has led to some residents considering leaving the city, with one Mount Isa mother expressing her concern about the pollution's impact on the local schools.
While the presence of a mine so close to a community is unusual, Mount Isa Mines has implemented some measures to mitigate the pollution. The company operates 12 compliance air quality monitoring stations, and according to Glencore, every resident lives within 1,200 metres of a sulphur dioxide monitor. Additionally, the mine has an acid plant attached to its copper smelter to capture the fumes, and the emissions from the smelter are turned into fertiliser. However, residents still experience "isolated incidents" where they can taste sulfur when the acid plant is not operational.
To protect themselves from the harmful effects of air pollution, residents of Mount Isa are advised to use N95 masks outdoors when the air quality is poor. Additionally, people who work in offices are encouraged to use public transportation or carpool to reduce vehicle emissions, which contribute to both outdoor and indoor air pollution. The use of air purifiers or fresh air machines is also recommended when the outdoor air quality is very high, and proper ventilation is advised when the outdoor air quality improves.
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Sydney: Australia's most populous city, ranked last for air quality
Australia is ranked ninth in the world for cleanest air, according to a recent international report. However, within the country, there are still cities that fare better than others when it comes to air quality. Sydney, Australia's most populous city, ranks last among Australian cities for air quality.
The State of Global Air 2024 report revealed that 8.1 million people died globally due to air pollution in 2021, making it the second-largest risk factor for deaths worldwide. While the report may not paint a complete picture, it underscores the importance of addressing air pollution and its impact on human health.
Sydney's poor air quality can be attributed to several factors. As a large and densely populated city, Sydney faces challenges associated with traffic congestion and increased industrial activity, which contribute to higher levels of air pollution. The city's geographical location and weather patterns may also play a role in the concentration and dispersion of pollutants.
Additionally, Sydney's air quality is influenced by the surrounding region. The Oceania region, which includes Australia, French Polynesia, Guam, New Caledonia, and New Zealand, is known for its clean air quality. However, Australia has experienced La Niña conditions in recent years, bringing significant rainfall during the summer months. This has led to increased vegetation and a higher risk of severe bushfires, which can negatively impact air quality.
While Sydney ranks last among Australian cities in air quality, it is important to recognize that the country's overall air quality is relatively good compared to other parts of the world. Nonetheless, there is still progress to be made in improving air quality and reducing pollution levels in Sydney and other highly populated Australian cities.
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Melbourne: One of the cities with the worst air pollution
Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, is one of Australia's most populous cities and is often regarded as having some of the worst air pollution in the country. While the city's air quality is generally considered "good" by international standards, it is not without its challenges, particularly when it comes to occasional extreme air pollution events.
One of the main sources of air pollution in Melbourne is motor vehicle emissions from petroleum combustion. With a high population and a large number of vehicles on the road, the city experiences elevated levels of pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). These pollutants have been linked to various health risks, including respiratory infections, cardiovascular disease, and lung cancer. People living near major roads are particularly vulnerable to the effects of reduced air quality.
In addition to vehicle emissions, the combustion of other fuels, such as gas, wood, and coal, also contributes to Melbourne's air pollution levels. This is particularly true during the winter months when wood heaters are in use. Additionally, natural events such as bushfires and high wind dust events can significantly impact the city's air quality, posing significant health risks to its nearly five million residents.
Melbourne's topography also plays a role in its air pollution levels. Low-lying areas tend to have worse air conditions than hilltop areas, as pollutants settle in valleys, especially on calm nights. The city's proximity to the sea also influences air quality, with suburbs receiving sea breezes benefiting from improved air conditions.
While Melbourne has made strides in reducing air pollution, with levels steadily decreasing since 1973, it continues to face challenges, particularly during extreme events and in areas with high traffic congestion. The health impacts of air pollution in Melbourne are significant, and the city remains committed to improving the air quality for its residents.
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Health risks: Air pollution is the second-largest cause of death globally
Sydney has been ranked as the Australian city with the worst air quality, even falling behind London, UK. Other Australian cities with poor air quality include Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane.
Air pollution is a pressing global health issue, causing approximately 6.5 million deaths annually worldwide. In 2021, this figure rose to 8.1 million deaths, making air pollution the second-largest cause of death globally. According to the State of Global Air 2024 report, almost the entire global population (99%) breathes air that exceeds the WHO's recommended guideline limits. This has far-reaching health implications, with millions more people suffering from debilitating chronic illnesses.
The diseases most commonly associated with air pollution include stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and acute and chronic respiratory diseases such as pneumonia and asthma. Research has also linked air pollution to adverse birth outcomes, including preterm births, low birth weight, and asthma and lung diseases in children. In 2021, exposure to air pollution was linked to over 700,000 deaths of children under five years old, making it the second-leading risk factor for death in this age group after malnutrition.
Outdoor air pollution is caused by a mix of hazardous substances from human-made and natural sources. Vehicle emissions, fuel oils, natural gas used for heating, manufacturing by-products, power generation, and chemical production fumes are significant contributors to air pollution. Natural sources include smoke from wildfires, volcanic ash and gases, and methane released from decomposing organic matter in soils.
Particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution, including ambient PM2.5 and household air pollution, is responsible for the majority of air pollution-related deaths. These tiny particles, measuring less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, can remain in the lungs and enter the bloodstream, increasing the risk of various non-communicable diseases. Ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are also harmful components of outdoor air pollution, with ozone contributing to COPD and nitrogen dioxide associated with childhood asthma.
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Causes: Traffic, industry, combustion engines, power generation, prescribed burns
Australia's most populous city, Sydney, has been ranked as the country's most polluted city. The report also claimed that Sydney had a worse score than London, which came in at the 90th spot. Sydney's poor ranking is not surprising, as larger cities tend to have more people, traffic, and industrial activity. Melbourne, the second-largest city, is another one of the cities with the worst air pollution.
Traffic congestion in Australian cities is generally getting worse due to more cars on the road. Vehicle emissions contribute to more than 1,800 premature deaths in Australia each year. Transitioning to electric vehicles, promoting public transportation, and encouraging active transport such as walking and cycling can help reduce emissions and protect public health.
Industrial emissions are a significant contributor to air pollution in some cities. Port Pirie in South Australia and Mount Isa in Queensland are of particular concern to residents due to their smelting operations, which release sulfur dioxide. Melbourne's air pollution is primarily caused by motor vehicle emissions from petroleum combustion, while wood heater smoke in winter causes localized pollution problems in built-up areas.
Power generation is another source of air pollution. Australia's coal-burning power stations emit toxic pollutants, including sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, which contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and adverse birth outcomes. Greenpeace Australia Pacific has criticized the federal government for failing to hold big polluters accountable, urging a transition to clean, renewable energy.
Prescribed burns and bushfires can also significantly impact air quality. The 2019-2020 bushfires highlighted the need for hourly air quality measurements and standardized messaging to inform the public about their exposure and protect their health.
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Frequently asked questions
Sydney has been ranked as the most polluted city in Australia, falling behind other Australian cities like Adelaide, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane. Botany Bay in Sydney is the city's most polluted area.
Sydney, being Australia's most populous city, experiences high pollution due to increased people, traffic, and industrial activity. Additionally, certain areas in Sydney, like Botany Bay, are home to big polluters, such as factories and refineries, which contribute to the city's overall pollution levels.
While Sydney ranks as the most polluted city in Australia, it falls behind many cities in Asia when compared globally. Cities like Seoul, Islamabad, Manama, Guangzhou, and New Delhi are among those with worse air quality than Sydney.
