Fine particle pollution - coastal NSW

ANSTO has been tracking and publishing data on fine particle pollution from key sites around Australia, and internationally, for more than 20 years.

To view data on fine particle pollution from key sites along the New South Wales (Australian) coast, click the marker on the map. Select the year from the drop down list that appears below the map and add or remove items in the graph by checking or unchecking the boxes.

Explanation of terms used in the graph

Context and background

Rapid population growth has created a concurrent rise in fine particle pollution, generated by industry, trucks, coal-fired power stations, cars and other man-made sources. Nature also generates fine particle pollution in the form of sea spray and wind-blown soil, dramatically illustrated in the September 2009 dust storms that hit Sydney and other areas.

While the human eye cannot see these fine particles - defined as particles with a diameter less than 2.5 microns (one micron being one millionth of a metre) - high concentrations of them reduce visibility. They also play a key role in climate change as they are very efficient in scattering solar radiation back into space. These fine particles can cause significant health problems, as the human nose and throat are inefficient at filtering them out, meaning they can penetrate deep into the lungs.

ANSTO plays a lead role in measuring and characterising these fine particles from a range of locations around Australia and internationally. The work is carried out by the Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) group within the Institute for Environmental Research. Also referred to as the Aerosol Sampling Program, samples are collected twice a week from key sites across New South Wales and other states. This data is utilised by local councils, State EPAs, industry groups and Australian universities.

The science of monitoring fine particle pollution

Fine particle samples are collected on thin stretched Teflon filters and analysed using Ion Beam Analysis a fast, sensitive and non-destructive way of establishing chemical concentrations within the filter. The filters are characterised by their weight and elemental composition. More than 20 different elements - including carbon, silicon, iron, sulphur and lead can be identified. The following animation illustrates the process.

Air is drawn through the air inlet via a narrow gap under the weatherproof cap. It passes down through the stack tube and into the cyclone. After entering the cyclone it begins to spiral where centrifugal forces remove the heavy particles. The lighter PM2.5 particles then continue travelling upwards where they collide with the filter surface and become trapped. After a set time the filters are removed from the cyclone and analysed using IBA techniques.

Want to keep updated?

Aerosol Sampling Program (ASP) Newsletters are published regularly to keep interested parties up to date with recent analyses and results. Each newsletter focuses on specific data from selected sites around Australia.