Ambient Air Standards in the Air NEPM
The National Air Quality Standards in the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure (known as the Air NEPM) specify the standard to be achieved in larger urban residential areas - not at the boundaries of industries. The air monitoring stations are therefore located in residential areas of the capital cities and larger regional centres to provide a representative measurement of the air quality experienced by their inhabitants.
In Tasmania particle matter less than 10 micrometres (µm) and 2.5 micrometres (µm) and diameter (PM10 and PM2.5) are the main indicators of urban air pollution. Therefore, Tasmania focuses on monitoring for PM10 and PM2.5 but other pollutants are also monitored from time to time.
Reference Station Air Pollution Data
The Tasmanian EPA is committed to the highest quality air monitoring data for determining its compliance with the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure - known as the Air NEPM.
The EPA is continuously upgrading its monitoring programs to meet all relevant Australian and international standards and has achieved accreditation by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) for all its reference level particle monitoring activities.
At the present time, the EPA operates reference level air monitoring stations in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport. The Devonport station was commissioned in January 2013.
Current (unvalidated) data from the reference-level air monitoring stations are available at the following links:
Validated monitoring data graphs for Hobart (New Town), Launceston (Ti Tree Bend), Devonport (TAFE) and the former George Town station are available at the following link:
Australian States and Territories
Each State and Territory was expected to implement programs as required to achieve the air quality standards specified in the Air NEPM by 2008. The Minister for Environment is responsible for the implementation of the Air NEPM in Tasmania, and the
Environmental Protection Policy (Air Quality) 2004 which was released in June 2005, is a key instrument for implementing the NEPM.
Under section 12A of the
Tasmanian State Policies and Projects Act 1993, NEPMs are taken to be State Policies, which have been passed by Parliament.
Each year Tasmania is required to report on its progress towards meeting the Air NEPM (Annual Air NEPM Reports). The reports include information on the monitoring results from Tasmania's reference level monitoring stations at Hobart, Launceston and Devonport.
Monitoring Equipment
Particle sampling occurs at both the Hobart, Launceston and Devonport sites using Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalances (TEOM) and Low Volume Samplers.
Real-time, indicative (non-reference) particle monitoring is also carried out through the BLANkET network as part of a program aimed at providing information on winter-time smoke levels and to facilitate the improvement of the management of smoke from planned burning in Tasmania. Real-time data from these stations can be viewed at Real-time air quality data for Tasmania.
Tasmanian Air Pollution Monitoring Plan
The Tasmanian Air Pollution Monitoring Plan 2001 presents how Tasmania is monitoring, assessing and reporting air quality. The plan was amended in the Amended Air Monitoring Plan 2005 to reflect upgraded monitoring equipment and systems.
Tasmanian Air Pollution Monitoring Plan 2001(1Mb)
Amended Air Monitoring Plan 2005
(5Mb)
Note: These older documents have outdated links and may not meet contemporary accessibility standards. Please contact us for the most current information about air pollution monitoring in Tasmania.
Industrial Emissions and Monitoring Data
Industries can be a main contributor to local air pollution, therefore, for most industries it is a requirement for their emissions to be monitored. Limits are set on permissible concentrations and/or loads of pollutants present in discharges to the atmosphere from point sources of pollution.