Air quality in NSW
Poor air quality can affect your health. Learn what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones when the air is polluted.
How to protect your health
Air quality might be affected at any time of year. It is important to follow these steps to protect yourself and your loved ones:
- Check air quality readings in your area.
- Understand when and where air pollution may be bad.
- If you have asthma, another respiratory condition or cardiovascular disease, keep your medicine nearby.
- Avoid exercising near busy roads and industrial areas.
- Reduce air pollution inside your home.
Find out more about how to protect yourself from air pollution.
Who is at risk from air pollution
Everyone can be affected by air pollution. However, some kinds of pollution may affect people differently.
People who are at greater risk include:
- people with asthma
- people with lung disease
- people with cardiovascular (heart) disease
- unborn babies (pregnant women)
- babies and children
- older adults.
Find out more about who is affected by air pollution.
Follow the recommended health advice when air quality is poor.
If you are concerned about symptoms call the 24-hour Healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 or see your doctor. In a health emergency, call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.
About air pollution in NSW
Air pollution can be caused by natural events such as bushfires, dust storms and sea salt. It can also come from other sources including industry, vehicle emissions, hazard reduction burning and wood heaters.
Air quality can be influenced by geography and weather. For example, in Sydney, the city’s basin shape can trap air pollution until rain or strong winds clear the pollution away.
Agencies across the NSW Government are working to improve air quality, reduce emissions and protect communities. We are reducing smoke impacts of hazard reduction burns and bushfires through:
- improved planning and assessment
- timely communication
- participating in ongoing research.
These actions are priorities under the NSW Clean Air Strategy 2021-30. Find out more about the strategy on the Department of Planning and Environment's website.
Types of air pollution
The main types of air pollution of concern in NSW are ozone pollution and particle pollution.
Most people in good general health can tolerate low levels of air pollution. They may experience temporary irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs when pollution levels are elevated.
Outdoor air quality
Smoke from hazard reduction burns and bushfires may impact air quality and your health. Visit the Rural Fire Service website or download the Hazards Near Me app for alerts and warnings about smoke and bushfires.
Protect yourself from bushfire smoke and follow recommended health advice when air quality is poor.
Other sources of outdoor pollution include emissions from motor vehicles, solid fuel burning, mining, industry and windblown dust.
Some vegetation also produces air-borne pollutants, such as pollen and mould spores. However, these are not measured by the NSW Government air quality monitoring stations.
If you are prone to hay-fever or have a respiratory condition, speak to your doctor about preparing an action plan for when air quality is poor. You can find out more about managing symptoms on:
Indoor air quality
Indoor air pollution can also pose a risk to your health. Sources include tobacco smoke and vaping, unflued gas heaters and mould.
During winter, wood heaters can be a significant source of air pollution. They emit a range of pollutants that are harmful. Read more on wood-burning heaters and your health.
Some devices should never be used indoors, including outdoor heaters and barbeques, tools with gasoline engines, portable generators and vehicle engines, as they can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
You can take steps to reduce your exposure to indoor air pollution.
Air quality categories
The NSW Government operates around 100 air quality monitoring stations – making it the largest air quality monitoring network in Australia.
The stations measure 6 pollutants against standards set by the National Environment Protection Council (NEPC).
These pollutants are:
- ozone
- carbon monoxide
- sulfur dioxide
- nitrogen dioxide
- particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10).
NSW also monitors visibility, which does not have an NEPC standard.
The results are rated against 5 air quality categories (AQC):
- Good
- Fair
- Poor
- Very Poor
- Extremely Poor.
These ratings are made public in hourly air quality readings.
A daily air quality forecast is made for the Greater Sydney Metropolitan Region at 4pm every day.
Shifting to a low-carbon future
NSW is feeling the impacts of climate change, with increased risks of bushfires, heatwaves, floods and coastal erosion.
The NSW Government has committed to reducing its emissions to net zero by 2050. We can minimise the impacts of climate change and keep our air clean by making the shift to a low-carbon future.
This could be as simple as taking steps to save money and use less energy in your home and making your home more energy efficient.
Everyone in NSW can help reduce transport emissions. Walk, bike or carpool and combine trips. Use buses, trains, ferries or other alternatives to driving your car. Use Trip Planner to plan a trip on public transport.
If you are buying a new car, consider an electronic vehicle (EV). The NSW Government is offering rebates for EV purchases until 1 January 2024.
NSW Climate and Energy Action supports households, businesses, and communities to make sustainable choices for our future.
Report air pollution
To report an air pollution incident, find and contact the organisation responsible for monitoring that industry.
If the incident presents an immediate threat to human health or property, call Triple Zero (000).