Geographical Issue- Air Quality
GEOGRAPHICAL ISSUE
Introduction
The quality of the air we breathe directly affects our general health and well being. The regular monitoring and maintenance of air quality is, therefore, extremely important for our overall quality of life. A key environmental issue which Australia currently faces is reversing the degradation of our ambient (outside) and indoor air quality. Aside from affecting human health, the presence of air pollutants in high levels can also adversely impact upon wildlife and vegetation.
The main cause of a build-up in air pollutants (and subsequent reduction in air quality) is the emission of exhaust fumes from motor vehicles. The quality of air is usually poorest, therefore, in highly urbanised areas. In Australia this is particularly true of larger cities such as Sydney, where fossil fuel emissions from cars contribute to 80 per cent of air pollution. See image 1
Air pollution in Australia
In comparison with some other parts of the world, air quality problems in Australia are less severe. This can largely be put down a small population (relative to the size of Australia), the chemical make-up of our energy resources and high wind flows in our nation's capitals. Cities such as Los Angeles, Mexico City and Athens, on the other hand, are notorious for possessing extremely poor air quality. Australia does, however, have a poor record when it comes to contributing to the greenhouse effect. In fact, we are one of the countries with the highest per capita levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Air pollutants fall into three main groups: criteria pollutants, air toxics and biological pollutants. The levels of each of these in the atmosphere are measured using the parts per million (ppm) index.
Criteria pollutants
These air pollutants are the most closely regulated around the world. They include: carbon monoxide; lead; nitrogen oxide; particles; ozone; and sulphur dioxide. In Australia, the two criteria pollutants of greatest concern are
Introduction
The quality of the air we breathe directly affects our general health and well being. The regular monitoring and maintenance of air quality is, therefore, extremely important for our overall quality of life. A key environmental issue which Australia currently faces is reversing the degradation of our ambient (outside) and indoor air quality. Aside from affecting human health, the presence of air pollutants in high levels can also adversely impact upon wildlife and vegetation.
The main cause of a build-up in air pollutants (and subsequent reduction in air quality) is the emission of exhaust fumes from motor vehicles. The quality of air is usually poorest, therefore, in highly urbanised areas. In Australia this is particularly true of larger cities such as Sydney, where fossil fuel emissions from cars contribute to 80 per cent of air pollution. See image 1
Air pollution in Australia
In comparison with some other parts of the world, air quality problems in Australia are less severe. This can largely be put down a small population (relative to the size of Australia), the chemical make-up of our energy resources and high wind flows in our nation's capitals. Cities such as Los Angeles, Mexico City and Athens, on the other hand, are notorious for possessing extremely poor air quality. Australia does, however, have a poor record when it comes to contributing to the greenhouse effect. In fact, we are one of the countries with the highest per capita levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Air pollutants fall into three main groups: criteria pollutants, air toxics and biological pollutants. The levels of each of these in the atmosphere are measured using the parts per million (ppm) index.
Criteria pollutants
These air pollutants are the most closely regulated around the world. They include: carbon monoxide; lead; nitrogen oxide; particles; ozone; and sulphur dioxide. In Australia, the two criteria pollutants of greatest concern are