Air Quality in George Town

GAMS Photo

 

GAMS Monitoring Data

What is GAMS?

The George Town Air Monitoring Station (GAMS) is the first collaborative air monitoring station to be established in Tasmania. State government, local government and industry have come together to address a question: what is the air quality like in George Town?

The project participants are:

  • Bell Bay Power;
  • Department of Health and Human Services;
  • Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts (Environment Division);
  • George Town Council;
  • Rio Tinto Aluminium (previously Comalco);
  • TEMCO; and
  • West Tamar Council.

This project has been a couple of years in the making from its initial inception.

How was the site selected and where is the equipment located?

Modelling of the movement of air pollution from the Bell Bay industrial precinct indicated that the higher concentrations of pollutants are likely to occur on the south east side of George Town. Various sites in this area were evaluated, based on the Australian Standards relating to the location of air monitoring equipment. The ideal air monitoring location is a place that is not too close to buildings, main roads and trees. The location selected is on the corner of Victoria and Agnes Streets, on the site of the George Town Council’s old works depot.

What parameters will be monitored?

Weather conditions as well as the following parameters will be continuously monitored:

  • PM10

    PM10 refers to particulate matter with a diameter of 10 microns (10 thousands of a millimetre) or less. These particles are small enough to be inhaled. PM10 can be generated from industry, woodheaters, fires and diesel powered vehicles.

  • PM2.5

    PM2.5 refers to particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 microns (2.5 thousands of a millimetre) or less. These particles are very small and can be inhaled deep into the lungs. PM2.5 can be generated from industry, woodheaters, fires and diesel powered vehicles.

  • Nitrogen oxides

    Nitrogen oxides are a mixture of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). NO2 can cause respiratory problems. Nitrogen oxides can be generated from industry (especially where gas is burnt) and vehicles.

  • Sulfur dioxide

    Sulfur dioxide is a colourless gas with a sharp odour and can affect the respiratory system. Sulfur dioxide can be generated from industry and the burning of coal and oil.

Who will run the station?

Staff from the Air Quality section of the Environment Division will operate and maintain the air monitoring station. The Environment Division already operates other monitoring stations around Tasmania. Air monitoring data is also available for Hobart and Launceston.

How will the data be collected and reported?

The air monitoring data will be maintained within the Environment Division’s Tasmanian Air Quality Database. The data will be subject to a validation process before it is released to the public. The integrity of the data will be ensured under the Environment Division’s quality management system.

GAMS Monitoring Data

What are the national air quality standards?

The National Air Quality standards are set by the National Environment Protection Council (NEPC). The NEPC consists of Ministers from the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments. The national standard and the corresponding goal to be achieved by 2008 are shown in the following table:

Parameter Averaging period Maximum concentration Goal
No. of exceedences per year by 2008
Nitrogen dioxide * 1 hour
1 year		 0.12 ppm
0.03 ppm		 1 exceedence
0 exceedence
Sulfur dioxide * 1 hour
1 day
1 year		 0.20 ppm
0.08 ppm
0.02 ppm		 1 exceedence day
1 exceedence
0 exceedence
PM10 * 1 day 50 ìg/m3 5 exceedences
PM2.5 * 1 day
1 year		 25 ìg/m3
8 ìg/m3		 N/a (reporting standard only)
Benzo(a)pyrene (marker for PAHs) ~ Annual average 0.3 ng/m3 N/a (monitoring investigation level only)

* National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure July 2003
~ National Environment Protection (Air Toxics) Measure April 2004

 

Further information on the air quality standards can found at the Environment Protection and Heritage Council’s External Link website.

Are there any other DEPHA air monitoring stations in Tasmania?

There are monitoring stations established in Hobart and Launceston. An air monitoring station at Devonport is due in 2009.

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