Skip links and keyboard navigation

Live air data

The Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) in collaboration with industry partners operates an air quality monitoring network across the state.

Data from the monitoring network is presented online as ambient concentration, air quality categories and smoke and dust health action levels which are updated hourly.

What’s new

View the current smoke and dust levels across Queensland and general guidance on what actions to take to protect your health during a smoke event

Current smoke and dust levels

There are currently no elevated health action levels.

Based on PM2.5 readings at air monitoring stations and smoke sensors at Thursday 29 February 2024 12pm.

For current bushfire and smoke warnings, visit the Queensland Fire Department website.

Thursday 29 February 2024 12pm

Air quality data is available from 1 January 2016. Individual stations have been monitoring for different time periods so data may not be available for all possible times.

Metals

Select a value within the table to generate charts and to download air quality data.

Townsville
StationLead µg/m³24hr avg aboutArsenic µg/m³24hr avg aboutCadmium µg/m³24hr avg aboutCopper µg/m³24hr avg aboutZinc µg/m³24hr avg aboutNickel µg/m³24hr avg
Coastguard0.0190.00100.0010.1120
Lennon Drive0.0070.0010.0010.0120.0380
Mount Isa
StationLead µg/m³24hr avg aboutArsenic µg/m³24hr avg aboutCadmium µg/m³24hr avg aboutCopper µg/m³24hr avg aboutZinc µg/m³24hr avg aboutNickel µg/m³24hr avg
The Gap0.0020.0010.0010.0270.010

None of the data is validated (0% validated, 0/18 records)

The data used to compile this air quality information comes directly from the department's air monitoring network and has only undergone a preliminary quality check. Data is retrieved from the stations every hour and after quality checks, is available approximately 1 hour later.

All data on this site is shown in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

  • If there is no data measured for a parameter, or data could not be retrieved from the monitoring station at this hour, no data is shown in the cell.

About these Metals parameters

Lead

Lead is commonly used in manufacturing products like batteries and solders. The major emission source is from the mining, smelting and processing of mineral ores. Inhaling or consuming lead and its compounds can affect the human body, particularly the nervous system, and may result in growth and developmental problems in children.

The guideline for Lead is 2µg/m³ (24hr avg).

Lead is measured in micrograms per cubic metre.

More information about Lead

Arsenic

Elemental arsenic does not occur naturally but its compounds are widespread, often occurring with metal-bearing ores and released during processing. It is widely used in timber preservatives and pesticides, and is well-documented as an occupational hazard.

The guideline for Arsenic is 0.3µg/m³ (24hr avg).

Arsenic is measured in micrograms per cubic metre.

More information about Arsenic

Cadmium

Cadmium compounds occur naturally in the environment, particularly in areas of mineralisation. The major emission source is the processing of metal ores for lead, zinc and copper, where cadmium is a valuable by-product.

The guideline for Cadmium is 2µg/m³ (24hr avg).

Cadmium is measured in micrograms per cubic metre.

More information about Cadmium

Copper

Copper is one of a number of essential metals, and a small daily intake is required to maintain a healthy life. However, ingesting high levels of the element can lead to adverse health effects, as some of its compounds are toxic.

The guideline for Copper is 50µg/m³ (24hr avg).

Copper is measured in micrograms per cubic metre.

More information about Copper

Zinc

Zinc occurs widely in nature, and is another metal essential in trace quantities for good health. Exposure to elevated levels is more likely through occupational exposure in industry such as mining and smelting and processing of metal ores. Insufficient zinc intake has a detrimental effect on growth, and immune and reproductive system development. Adverse health effects generally only occur where the exposure is high.

The guideline for Zinc is 120µg/m³ (24hr avg).

Zinc is measured in micrograms per cubic metre.

More information about Zinc

Nickel

The guideline for Nickel is 0.12µg/m³ (24hr avg).

Nickel is measured in micrograms per cubic metre.

More information about Nickel

Licence
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Last updated
23 December 2024