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| Note: | RPI data is reported twice daily on the Department of Environment and Conservation website http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/air/airdata.htm. This graph shows the monthly maximum and monthly mean RPI. |
| Source: | NSW Department of Environment and Conservation incorporating Environment Protection Authority. |
The regional pollutant index (RPI) has been developed by the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) to provide twice daily reporting of pollutant levels in Sydney, Lower Hunter and Illawarra. The RPI is produced for three regions in Sydney (Central Eastern Sydney, North Western Sydney, and South Western Sydney); three sites in the Lower Hunter (Newcastle, Wallsend and Beresfield); and two sites in the Illawarra (Wollongong and Albion Park).
The RPI is based on three pollutants: fine particles (measured by visibility), nitrogen dioxide and ozone. The RPI reports on the highest pollutant in comparison to its highest permissible level. A high RPI indicates that at least one of the three pollutants has exceeded its permissible level during the reporting period. Using information about forecast weather conditions, the DEC also provides a forecast of pollution levels for the Sydney region the following day.
The peaks shown on the graphs are in the main associated with bushfires. The usual contributors to air pollution in these three cities are industry and motor vehicles, with significant contributions from wood heaters overnight in the winter.
The NSW Government's 25-year air quality management plan, Action for Air, began in 1998, was revised in 2001 and updated in 2006 (EPA, 2006). The plan relies on linked strategies such as City of Cities: A plan for Sydney's future, the NSW Greenhouse Plan and the State Infrastructure Strategy New South Wales 2006-07 to 2015-16. Promotion of 'active transport' started in the original Action for Air continues throughout the later documents. Active transport includes walking, cycling and using public transport instead of private vehicles. This not only generates less pollution but also improves health through increased physical activity. Further information about physical activity can be found in the health-related behaviours chapter.
| For more information: |
NSW Environment Protection Authority. Action for Air. Sydney: EPA, 1998. with Action for Air, 2006 update. Sydney: EPA, 2006. Available at: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/air/actionforair/execsum.htm. NSW Department of Health. Air pollution and health. Available at www.health.nsw.gov.au/public-health/ehb/hazards/air-pollution.html NSW Department of Environment and Conservation website at www.environment.nsw.gov.au Department of Environment and Conservation. Air pollution economics. Health costs of air pollution in the Greater Sydney Metropolitan Region. Sydney: DEC, 2006. Available at http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/resources/airpollution05623.pdf Watson BK, Sheppeard V. Managing respiratory effects of air pollution. Australian Family Physician. 34(12):1033-6, 2005. Jalaludin BB, O'Toole BI, Leeder SR. Acute effects of urban ambient air pollution on respiratory symptoms, asthma medication use, and doctor visits for asthma in a cohort of Australia children. Environmental Research. 95(1):32-42, 2004. Mannes T, Jalaludin B, Morgan G, Lincoln D, Sheppeard V, Corbett S. Impact of ambient air pollution on birth weight in Sydney, Australia. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 62(8):524-30, 2005. |
| Print version: | Although this page can be printed directly from your Web browser, a higher quality version of this entire page (graph, table and text) is available as an Acrobat PDF file which can be printed or viewed on screen using free software. |
| Downloadable files: | The data contained in the table on this page are available for download as a CSV file which can be imported into many software packages. The graph is available for download as an EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) file and as an EMF (Enhanced Metafile Format) file. Files in these formats can be imported into most word processing, presentation and graphics software packages. |
| Copyright notice: | This work is copyright NSW Department of Health, 2006. It may be reproduced in whole or in part, subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgement of the source. Commercial usage or sale is prohibited. |
| Suggested citation: | Population Health Division. The health of the people of New South Wales - Report of the Chief Health Officer. Sydney: NSW Department of Health. Available at: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/public-health/chorep/env/env_airrpi.htm. Accessed (insert date of access). |
| Produced by: | Centre for Epidemiology and Research, Population Health Division, NSW Department of Health. |
| Last updated on: | 16 October 2006 |
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