Major Air Pollutants
There are hundreds of pollutants that are mixed into the air we breathe. The National Environment Protection Measure (Air NEPM) establishes national ambient air quality standards for six major air pollutants that affect local air quality and are indicative of general ambient air quality. The standards in the Air NEPM are designed to protect human health and wellbeing.
Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5)
High levels of particle pollution are experienced in many areas around Tasmania during the cooler months. The Environment Division has been monitoring particulate matter at two sites in the state, Ti Tree Bend in Launceston and at Prince of Wales Bay in Hobart. Recently, the Prince of Wales Bay site has been relocated to New Town as this is believed to be a better representative site than Prince of Wales Bay site. The Division is also establishing another monitoring site at Devonport High School, Devonport, to also monitor particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5).
Ozone (O3)
In the lower atmosphere ozone is both a pollutant and a greenhouse gas. Monitoring for ozone is not conducted in Tasmania.
Carbon monoxide (CO)
For information on carbon monoxide see the fact sheet on the Australian Government Department of Environment and Heritage's web site: www.deh.gov.au/atmosphere/airquality/publications/carbonmonoxide.html 
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Monitoring for CO was conducted at the Prince of Wales monitoring station in Hobart, from 2001 to 2004, but was discontinued because the levels were very low. The Department intends to monitor CO in city streets in Hobart.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
For information on nitrogen dioxide see the fact sheet on the Australian Government Department of Environment and Heritage's web site: www.deh.gov.au/atmosphere/airquality/publications/nitrogendioxide.html .
Routine monitoring for NO2 is not conducted in Tasmania.
Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
For information on sulphur dioxide see the fact sheet on the Australian Government Department of Environment and Heritage's web site: www.deh.gov.au/atmosphere/airquality/publications/sulfurdioxide.html .
Sulphur dioxide reacts easily with other substances to form harmful compounds, such as sulfuric acid, sulfurous acid and sulfate particles. Routine monitoring for SO2 is not conducted in Tasmania, except near Zinifex Smelter at Risdon in Hobart, as concentrations are very low.
Lead (Pb)
For information on lead see the fact sheet on the Australian Government Department of Environment and Heritage's web site: www.deh.gov.au/atmosphere/airquality/publications/leadfs.html . Lead is known to be harmful to human health and its use is restricted to products that are not used for food or drink. Monitoring for lead is not conducted in Tasmania or in most other jurisdiction, as its removal from petrol has made airborne levels extremely low, all around Australia.
Further Information:
Contact: Air Specialist
134 Macquarie Street
GPO Box 1751
Hobart TAS 7001
Phone: 03 6233 3373
Fax: 03 6233 3800
Email: EnvironmentEnquiries@environment.tas.gov.au
