Pollution Data for Hobart
The ambient air quality monitoring station for Hobart was established in July 2000, near the south-western shore of the Prince of Wales Bay, in the City of Glenorchy, approximately 6km north of the city centre (see location). This station lies in the main air drainage path for the Derwent Estuary, and the air quality measurements should give a reliable indication of the overall air quality in the residential, commercial and industrial areas of Northern Hobart and Glenorchy.
The station is due to be relocated during 2005 to ensure that the monitoring data is representative of air quality in residential areas of greater Hobart, especially in winter. It is also being upgraded as part of a four year $800,000 program to meet the requirements of the National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) for Ambient Air Quality 
.
To view Tasmania's progress at meeting the Air NEPM see the Air NEPM Annual Reports.
PM10 and PM2.5 Data for July 2008
Graph of daily pollution readings.
Monthly PM10 and PM2.5 Data for 2008
Graphs of daily pollution readings for each month.
PM10 and PM2.5 Data for 2007
Monthly graphs of particulate pollution 1 January - 31 December.
24 Hour PM10 Levels 2000 - 2004
Graph of daily pollution readings from 2000 to mid-2004.
Average Monthly PM10 Data 2000 - 2004 showing Seasonal Variation
Graph of average monthly pollution readings over four-year period to 2004. Woodsmoke pollution is associated with the cooler months of the year when the days are still and when woodheaters are used to a greater degree. Therefore it is not surprising that exceedences of air pollution standards generally occur between May and August.
Annual Statistics for 24 Hour PM10 Levels 2000 - 2004
Graph showing annual pollution readings for period 2000 to mid-2004.
24 Hour PM10 Exceedences 1999 - 2004
Graph showing number of exceedences to air pollution goals 1999 to 30 June 2004.
PM10 Data 1 January - 30 June 2004
Graph of daily pollution readings for the first half of 2004.
PM10 Data for 2003
Graph of daily pollution readings in 2003.
PM10 Data for 2002
Graph of daily pollution readings in 2002.
PM10 Data for 2001
Graph of daily pollution readings in 2001.
PM10 Data for 2000
Graph of daily pollution readings in 2000.
An Average Winter's Day
Many people are aware of high wood smoke concentrations at some time during the day and may be later surprised if the day doesn’t breach the national standard. The graph for the hypothetical day shows that relatively high concentrations can be experienced for long periods at a time, but because of the lower concentrations experienced at night and during the late morning, the daily average falls below the national standard. The pollution levels at the Prince of Wales Bay monitoring station are not extremely high, even on an exceedence (high pollution) day. Unlike Launceston, Hobart rarely experiences the strong inversions that trap pollution close to the ground causing high air pollution readings.
See also
Further Information
For more information, please 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
