Air toxics are pollutants that can be present in the atmosphere in low concentrations and are known or suspected to cause serious health or environmental problems. Information about the sources and health effects of air toxics is available at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website. There are five compounds used as indicators of toxic air pollutants in Australia: benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, xylenes and benzo(a)pyrene (as an indicator for PAH). These compounds were included in the Tasmanian Air Toxics Monitoring Program which ran between 2008 and 2011.
Air Toxics Monitoring in Tasmania
Monitoring of air toxics was undertaken at a number of sites in Tasmania during the period 2008-11 to meet the requirements of the National Environment Protection (Air Toxics) Measure (Air Toxics NEPM).
The results indicated seasonal variations in ambient concentrations of air toxics, with higher levels in winter, coinciding with increased usage of domestic wood heaters. The results indicated that the Air Toxics NEPM Monitoring Investigation Levels were unlikely to be exceeded at the sites monitored.
The following report summarises the final air toxics monitoring program undertaken in 2011:
Air Toxics Annual Report 2011 (2Mb)
Note: This older report has outdated links and may not meet contemporary accessibility standards. Please contact us if you need assistance with this document.
Earlier reports (i.e. 2008, 2009 and 2010) have been archived. Please contact us if you wish to view these reports (contact details below).