Monitored parameters
Categories:
Air quality
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas formed when substances containing carbon (such as petrol, gas, coal and wood) are burned with an insufficient supply of air. It has serious health impacts on humans and animals, especially those with cardiovascular disease. More information
- Abbreviation
- CO
- Measured in
- parts per million (ppm)
- Guideline
- 9ppm (8hr avg)
Nitrogen dioxide
Nitrogen dioxide is an acidic and highly corrosive gas. Nitrogen oxides are critical components of photochemical smog. Long-term exposure to high levels of nitrogen dioxide can cause chronic lung disease and affect the senses. More information
- Abbreviation
- NO₂
- Measured in
- parts per million (ppm)
- Guideline
- 0.08ppm (1hr avg)
Ozone
Ozone is a colourless, highly reactive gas with a distinctive odour. The upper atmosphere ozone layer (at altitudes of 15–35km) protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The ozone layer reduction represents a global atmosphere issue. More information
- Abbreviation
- O₃
- Measured in
- parts per million (ppm)
- Guideline
- 0.1ppm (1hr avg) and 0.065ppm (8hr avg)
Sulfur dioxide
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a colourless gas with a sharp, irritating odour. It is produced by burning fossil fuels and by the smelting of mineral ores that contain sulfur. More information
- Abbreviation
- SO₂
- Measured in
- parts per million (ppm)
- Guideline
- 0.1ppm (1hr avg)
Particles TSP
Airborne particles up to about 100 micrometres in diameter are referred to as TSP (total suspended particles). These particles are generated by combustion and non-combustion processes, including windblown dust, sea salt, earthworks, mining activities, industrial processes, motor vehicle engines and fires. More information
- Abbreviation
- TSP
- Measured in
- micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³)
- Guideline
- 250µg/m³ (1hr avg) and 80µg/m³ (24hr avg)
Particle PM10
Airborne particles less than 10 micrometres in diameter, referred to as PM10, can be hazardous to human health or cause a nuisance when present in the air at elevated levels. They are capable of penetrating the lower airways of humans and can cause possible negative health effects. More information
- Abbreviation
- PM10
- Measured in
- micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³)
- Guideline
- 100µg/m³ (1hr avg) and 50µg/m³ (24hr avg)
Particle PM2.5
Airborne particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter, referred to as PM2.5, can be hazardous to human health or cause a nuisance when present in the air at elevated levels. They are capable of penetrating the lower airways of humans and can cause possible negative health effects. More information
- Abbreviation
- PM2.5
- Measured in
- micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³)
- Guideline
- 50µg/m³ (1hr avg) and 25µg/m³ (24hr avg)
Visibility
Aerosols and fine particles can reduce visibility. Smoke from fires or haze are common causes of poor visibility. More information
- Abbreviation
- Bsp
- Measured in
- inverse megametres (Mm⁻¹)
- Guideline
- 235Mm⁻¹ (1hr avg)
Meteorological
Wind direction
When high pollutant concentrations occur at a monitoring station, wind data records can determine the general direction and area of the emissions. Identifying the sources means planning to reduce the impacts on air quality can take place. The measurement indicates the direction the wind is coming from. More information
- Abbreviation
- WD
- Measured in
- degrees (deg)
Wind speed
When high pollutant concentrations occur at a monitoring station, wind data records can determine the general direction and area of the emissions. Identifying the sources means planning to reduce the impacts on air quality can take place. More information
- Abbreviation
- WS
- Measured in
- metres per second (m/s)
Humidity
Like temperature and solar radiation, water vapour plays an important role in many thermal and photochemical reactions in the atmosphere. More information
- Abbreviation
- Hum
- Measured in
- percentage (%)
Temperature
Measuring temperature supports air quality assessment, air quality modelling and forecasting activities. More information
- Abbreviation
- Temp
- Measured in
- degrees Celsius (°C)
Solar radiation
Measuring solar radiation is beneficial for modelling photochemical smog events, as the intensity of sunlight has an important influence on the rate of the chemical reactions that produce the smog. The cloudiness of the sky, time of day and geographic location all affect sunlight intensity. More information
- Abbreviation
- Rad
- Measured in
- W/m²
Rainfall
Rain has a ‘scavenging’ effect when it washes particulate matter out of the atmosphere and dissolves gaseous pollutants. Removing particles improves visibility. Where there is frequent high rainfall, air quality is generally better. More information
- Abbreviation
- Rainfall
- Measured in
- mm
Organics
Benzene
Benzene is an organic compound occurring naturally in fossil fuels and entering the atmosphere from both natural processes and human activities that involve the combustion of organic matter. Long-term exposure results in an increased incidence of blood and immune system disorders, including anaemia and leukaemia. More information
- Abbreviation
- Benz
- Measured in
- parts per billion (ppb)
- Guideline
- 250ppb (24hr avg)
Toluene
Toluene is a colourless organic liquid. Burning organic matter, such as wood, coal and petroleum products generates toluene, and it occurs naturally in crude oil. Motor vehicle emissions are the main source of toluene in the urban air environment, although evaporative losses from fuel storage facilities and service stations, as well as the use of toluene-based solvents and thinners are other contributors. More information
- Abbreviation
- Tol
- Measured in
- parts per billion (ppb)
- Guideline
- 1000ppb (24hr avg)
Xylene
Burning organic matter, such as wood, coal and petroleum products generates xylene, and it also occurs naturally in crude oil. Motor vehicle emissions are the predominant source of xylene in the urban air environment. More information
- Abbreviation
- Xyl
- Measured in
- parts per billion (ppb)
- Guideline
- 250ppb (24hr avg)
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde in its normal state is a colourless gas. Low levels of formaldehyde are part of naturally occurring decomposition processes. In urban environments formaldehyde emission sources include motor vehicle exhaust, domestic solid fuel and gas combustion, goods manufactured with formaldehyde-based glues and resins and tobacco smoke. More information
- Abbreviation
- Formald
- Measured in
- parts per billion (ppb)
- Guideline
- 40ppb (24hr avg)
Metals
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. More information
- Abbreviation
- Pb
- Measured in
- micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³)
- Guideline
- 2µg/m³ (24hr avg)
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. More information
- Abbreviation
- As
- Measured in
- micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³)
- Guideline
- 0.3µg/m³ (24hr avg)
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. More information
- Abbreviation
- Cd
- Measured in
- micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³)
- Guideline
- 2µg/m³ (24hr avg)
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. More information
- Abbreviation
- Cu
- Measured in
- micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³)
- Guideline
- 50µg/m³ (24hr avg)
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. More information
- Abbreviation
- Zn
- Measured in
- micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³)
- Guideline
- 120µg/m³ (24hr avg)
Nickel
- Abbreviation
- Ni
- Measured in
- micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³)
- Guideline
- 0.12µg/m³ (24hr avg)
Smoke sensors
Particle PM2.5
Airborne particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter, referred to as PM2.5, can be hazardous to human health or cause a nuisance when present in the air at elevated levels. They are capable of penetrating the lower airways of humans and can cause possible negative health effects. More information
- Abbreviation
- PM2.5
- Measured in
- micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³)
- Guideline
- 50µg/m³ (1hr avg) and 25µg/m³ (24hr avg)
Hydrogen sulfide
Hydrogen sulfide (30min)
Hydrogen sulfide is a flammable, colorless gas that smells like rotten eggs. People usually can smell hydrogen sulfide at low concentrations in air ranging from 0.5 to 300 parts per billion (ppb). Hydrogen sulfide occurs naturally in crude petroleum, natural gas, volcanic gases, and hot springs. It can also result from bacterial breakdown of organic matter. Industrial sources of hydrogen sulfide include petroleum refineries, natural gas plants, petrochemical plants, coke oven plants, food processing plants, and tanneries. More information
- Abbreviation
- H₂S
- Measured in
- parts per billion (ppb)
- Guideline
- 5ppb (1hr avg) and 108ppb (30min avg)
