Air quality in Brisbane

Real-time air quality index

Council's clean air index is an air quality indicator based on the measurements of monitoring stations in Brisbane.

You can use the index to find real-time information about air quality across the city.

Why air quality is important

Air quality directly impacts the health of humans, plants and animals. Did you know we need approximately 13,000 litres of clean air per day?

Air pollutants affect our health, particularly in children, older people, pregnant women and those with cardiovascular/respiratory conditions.

Studies show more people pass away each year from pollution-related illnesses than from car accidents. This is because air pollution can cause:

• more frequent or severe asthma attacks
• worsened symptoms of respiratory conditions, like emphysema and bronchitis
  
• aggravated symptoms of cardiovascular conditions, like angina or heart attacks
  
• increased risk of stroke
• potential harm to pregnant women and unborn babies
• premature death in sensitive people
  
• cancer
  
• irritated eyes, nose, throat and lungs
• coughing, wheezing and bronchial restriction.

Air quality challenges for Brisbane

Brisbane is situated in a natural basin which is created by surrounding mountains and islands. This acts to contain and recirculate air pollutants, which prevents dispersion and can lead to elevated pollution levels until stronger winds clear the air.

While most of Brisbane generally has good air quality, locations close to busy roads and some industries don't always meet air quality standards. Any burning has a large effect on air quality and, in the case of bushfires or dust storms, can affect the whole city, even if it originates outside our local government area.  High pollution days may affect environmental amenity, with hazy skies and reduced visibility.

Our subtropical climate means that hot sunny days create the perfect conditions for the formation of ozone, which is a major air pollutant. Even though Brisbane’s ozone levels are not typically high, we need to stay vigilant.

The main pollutants of concern for Brisbane are:

• nitrogen dioxide
• particulate matter
  
• ozone
• volatile organic compounds.

These pollutants mainly come from:

• cars and motor vehicles
• bushfires and vegetation burning
  
• domestic heating such as wood heaters and fire pits
  
• paint fumes
  
• industrial emissions.
  

For more detailed information about Brisbane’s air quality trends, email NEWS-Contact@brisbane.qld.gov.au.

How you can help to keep our air clean

Clean air is crucial to our healthy, subtropical, outdoor way of life.

We can all play a part in maintaining clean air. Things you can do:

• make smart travel choices such as carpooling, using public transport and cycling
• use cleaner vehicles such as electric cars or smaller, efficient models
• replace petrol-fuelled garden equipment with battery-powered or electrical units
• drive smarter:
  
  • accelerate and brake gently
    
  • avoid unnecessary idling
    
  • keep your tyres inflated to the correct pressure for your vehicle
    
  • keep your vehicle well-serviced, including the emissions control equipment
    
  • remove unnecessary weight from your vehicle
    
  • combine short trips into one longer round trip. This will help the engine to be warmed up and the emission control equipment to be working properly.

Air quality inside your home can be heavily influenced by your own actions. Protect your home’s indoor air quality by:

• having good ventilation
• choosing low toxicity or solvent-free products and air fresheners (e.g. vinegar and bicarbonate of soda for cleaning and natural oils as air fresheners)
• selecting building materials, floor coverings and furnishings with low-formaldehyde components
  
• using low toxic interior paints and finishes (e.g. low or zero volatile organic compounds)
  
• choosing clean energy and clean home heating, such as reverse-cycle air conditioning
  
• avoiding smoking in the house
• minimising smoke impacts from backyard fires and wood heaters
  
• preparing your home for bushfire season to minimise smoke exposure
• ensuring gas heaters and stoves are properly flued to the outside. You can also consider an electric cooktop.