Regional cities' scorecard for particles (PM10) NEPM 24-hour standard, based on analysis of air quality index values, 1999-2014

This assessment summary component has changed from 2011.

  • The period for the 2011 assessment was from 1999-2008

The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.

Regional cities’ score card for particles (PM10) NEPM 24-hour standard, based on analysis of air quality index values, 1999–2008
Ambient air quality
State and trends
Air toxics
Regional cities' scorecard for particles (PM10) NEPM 24-hour standard, based on analysis of air quality index values, 1999-2014
Component
Summary
Grade
Very poor Poor Fair Good Very good
Confidence
In Grade In Trend
Comparability
To previous years

New South Wales - Wagga Wagga - PM10 (24-hour average)

Average percentage frequency distribution: very good 49; good 40; fair 8; poor 2; very poor 1

Year(s): 
2016
5
Improving
Confidence (in grade): 
Adequate
Confidence (in trend): 
Adequate
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Comparable

New South Wales - Wagga Wagga - PM10 (24-hour average)

20162011
Ambient air quality
State and trends

Approach/Process

The approach is based on the characterisation of the air quality of an airshed using its worst performing NEPM compliance station (monitoring site) for PM10. For regional New South Wales, that was the Wagga Wagga station.

For each year from 2009 to 2014, monitoring data from the selected station were converted into air quality index values (AQI), which express the measured concentration as a percentage of the standard. An AQI of 100 means that the pollutant is present in the air at the level of the standard. The AQIs were allocated to one of the five qualitative categories commonly used by Australian environment protection agencies to report air quality (very good 0–33, good 34–66, fair 67–99, poor 100–149, and very poor 150+).

The yearly percentage distributions were then used as the basis for assigning an overall AQI for the pollutant at each station using the criteria set out in Table A. The assessment was compared with that given in SoE 2011 to assess the trend. Note that a percentage of <1 means that there are values in a particular category, albeit at a very low count, whereas a percentage of 0 means there are no values present in a category.

Table A Criteria for assigning overall AQI-based qualitative categories

 

Annual distribution of AQI values

Overall category

Very good (%)

Good (%)

Fair (%)

Poor (%)

Very poor (%)

Very good

>50

>20

<10

<10

<5

Good

>20

>30

<20

<20

<10

Fair

<10

<20

>30

>20

<10

Poor

<10

<20

<20

>30

>20

Very poor

<5

<10

<10

>20

>50

Supplementary rules for assessing overall AQI

  • If the percentage very good is greater than 45 and is also greater than the percentage good, assessment grade is very good.
  • If the percentage good is greater than 75, the percentage very good can be as low as zero and the assessment grade is good.
  • If the assessment grade has stayed the same between 2011 and 2016 reports but the frequency of percentages within the grade has increased, the trend is set to ‘improving’ to reflect the increase.

 

Data/Information sources

Data used in assessment: PM10 concentrations (24-hour averages) from Wagga Wagga NEPM station in regional New South Wales

Quality of data used in assessment: High

 

Data custodian: New South Wales Environment Protection Authority

 

 

Comments

Nil.

Topics

Average percentage frequency distribution: very good 34; good 45; fair 13; poor 6; very poor 2 (Note: Although the overall assessment is good, the distribution has a significant ‘tail’ of 29 days on which the national standard was exceeded)

Year(s): 
2011
4
Stable
Confidence (in grade): 
Adequate
Confidence (in trend): 
Adequate
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Not assessed

Topics

Queensland - Mackay - PM10 (24-hour average)

Average percentage frequency distribution: very good 35; good 60; fair 4; poor 1; very poor <1

Year(s): 
2016
4
Improving
Confidence (in grade): 
Adequate
Confidence (in trend): 
Adequate
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Comparable

Queensland - Mackay - PM10 (24-hour average)

20162011
Ambient air quality
State and trends

Approach/Process

The approach is based on the characterisation of the air quality of an airshed using its worst performing NEPM compliance station (monitoring site) for PM10. For regional Queensland, thzt was the West Mackay station.

For each year from 2009 to 2014, monitoring data from the selected station were converted into air quality index values (AQI), which express the measured concentration as a percentage of the standard. An AQI of 100 means that the pollutant is present in the air at the level of the standard. The AQIs were allocated to one of the five qualitative categories commonly used by Australian environment protection agencies to report air quality (very good 0–33, good 34–66, fair 67–99, poor 100–149, and very poor 150+).

The yearly percentage distributions were then used as the basis for assigning an overall AQI for the pollutant at each station using the criteria set out in Table A. The assessment was compared with that given in SoE 2011 to assess the trend. Note that a percentage of <1 means that there are values in a particular category, albeit at a very low count, whereas a percentage of 0 means there are no values present in a category.

Table A Criteria for assigning overall AQI-based qualitative categories

 

Annual distribution of AQI values

Overall category

Very good (%)

Good (%)

Fair (%)

Poor (%)

Very poor (%)

Very good

>50

>20

<10

<10

<5

Good

>20

>30

<20

<20

<10

Fair

<10

<20

>30

>20

<10

Poor

<10

<20

<20

>30

>20

Very poor

<5

<10

<10

>20

>50

Supplementary rules for assessing overall AQI

  • If the percentage very good is greater than 45 and is also greater than the percentage good, assessment grade is very good.
  • If the percentage good is greater than 75, the percentage very good can be as low as zero and the assessment grade is good.
  • If the assessment grade has stayed the same between 2011 and 2016 reports but the frequency of percentages within the grade has increased, the trend is set to ‘improving’ to reflect the increase.

 

Data/Information sources

Data used in assessment: PM10 concentrations (24-hour averages) from West Mackay NEPM station in regional Queensland

Quality of data used in assessment: High

 

Data custodian: Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation

 

 

Comments

Nil.

Topics

Average percentage frequency distribution: very good 30; good 61; fair 1; poor 0; very poor 2

Year(s): 
2011
4
Stable
Confidence (in grade): 
Adequate
Confidence (in trend): 
Adequate
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Not assessed

Topics

South Australia - Port Pirie - PM10 (24-hour average)

Average percentage frequency distribution: very good 61; good 34; fair 4; poor 1; very poor <1

Year(s): 
2016
5
Improving
Confidence (in grade): 
Adequate
Confidence (in trend): 
Adequate
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Comparable

South Australia - Port Pirie - PM10 (24-hour average)

20162011
Ambient air quality
State and trends

Approach/Process

The approach is based on the characterisation of the air quality of an airshed using its worst performing NEPM compliance station (monitoring site) for PM10. For regional South Australia, that was the Port Pirie Oliver Street station.

For each year from 2009 to 2014, monitoring data from the selected station were converted into air quality index values (AQI), which express the measured concentration as a percentage of the standard. An AQI of 100 means that the pollutant is present in the air at the level of the standard. The AQIs were allocated to one of the five qualitative categories commonly used by Australian environment protection agencies to report air quality (very good 0–33, good 34–66, fair 67–99, poor 100–149, and very poor 150+).

The yearly percentage distributions were then used as the basis for assigning an overall AQI for the pollutant at each station using the criteria set out in Table A. The assessment was compared with that given in SoE 2011 to assess the trend. Note that a percentage of <1 means that there are values in a particular category, albeit at a very low count, whereas a percentage of 0 means there are no values present in a category.

Table A Criteria for assigning overall AQI-based qualitative categories

 

Annual distribution of AQI values

Overall category

Very good (%)

Good (%)

Fair (%)

Poor (%)

Very poor (%)

Very good

>50

>20

<10

<10

<5

Good

>20

>30

<20

<20

<10

Fair

<10

<20

>30

>20

<10

Poor

<10

<20

<20

>30

>20

Very poor

<5

<10

<10

>20

>50

Supplementary rules for assessing overall AQI

  • If the percentage very good is greater than 45 and is also greater than the percentage good, assessment grade is very good.
  • If the percentage good is greater than 75, the percentage very good can be as low as zero and the assessment grade is good.
  • If the assessment grade has stayed the same between 2011 and 2016 reports but the frequency of percentages within the grade has increased, the trend is set to ‘improving’ to reflect the increase.

 

Data/Information sources

Data used in assessment: PM10 concentrations (24-hour averages) from Port Pirie Oliver Street NEPM station in regional South Australia

Quality of data used in assessment: High

 

Data custodian: Environment Protection Authority South Australia

 

 

Comments

Nil.

Topics

Average percentage frequency distribution: very good 55; good 34; fair 8; poor 2; very poor 1

Year(s): 
2011
5
Improving
Confidence (in grade): 
Adequate
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Not assessed

Topics

Tasmania - Launceston - PM10 (24-hour average)

This assessment summary component has changed from 2011.

  • Title has changed from 2011. 

The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.

Tasmania - Launceston Ti Tree Bend

Average percentage frequency distribution: very good 75; good 22; fair 3; poor <1; very poor 0

Year(s): 
2016
5
Improving
Confidence (in grade): 
Adequate
Confidence (in trend): 
Adequate
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Comparable

Tasmania - Launceston - PM10 (24-hour average)

20162011
Ambient air quality
State and trends

Approach/Process

The approach is based on the characterisation of the air quality of an airshed using its worst performing NEPM compliance station (monitoring site) for PM10. For regional Tasmania, that was the Launceston Ti Tree Bend station.

For each year from 2009 to 2014, monitoring data from the selected station were converted into air quality index values (AQI), which express the measured concentration as a percentage of the standard. An AQI of 100 means that the pollutant is present in the air at the level of the standard. The AQIs were allocated to one of the five qualitative categories commonly used by Australian environment protection agencies to report air quality (very good 0–33, good 34–66, fair 67–99, poor 100–149, and very poor 150+).

The yearly percentage distributions were then used as the basis for assigning an overall AQI for the pollutant at each station using the criteria set out in Table A. The assessment was compared with that given in SoE 2011 to assess the trend. Note that a percentage of <1 means that there are values in a particular category, albeit at a very low count, whereas a percentage of 0 means there are no values present in a category.

Table A Criteria for assigning overall AQI-based qualitative categories

 

Annual distribution of AQI values

Overall category

Very good (%)

Good (%)

Fair (%)

Poor (%)

Very poor (%)

Very good

>50

>20

<10

<10

<5

Good

>20

>30

<20

<20

<10

Fair

<10

<20

>30

>20

<10

Poor

<10

<20

<20

>30

>20

Very poor

<5

<10

<10

>20

>50

Supplementary rules for assessing overall AQI

  • If the percentage very good is greater than 45 and is also greater than the percentage good, assessment grade is very good.
  • If the percentage good is greater than 75, the percentage very good can be as low as zero and the assessment grade is good.
  • If the assessment grade has stayed the same between 2011 and 2016 reports but the frequency of percentages within the grade has increased, the trend is set to ‘improving’ to reflect the increase.

 

Data/Information sources

Data used in assessment: PM10 concentrations (24-hour averages) from Launceston Ti Tree Bend NEPM station in regional Tasmania

Quality of data used in assessment: High

 

Data custodian: Environment Protection Authority Tasmania

 

 

Comments

Nil.

Topics

Average percentage frequency distribution: very good 65; good 30; fair 3; poor 2; very poor 1

Year(s): 
2011
5
Unclear
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Not assessed

Topics

Victoria - Geelong - PM10 (24-hour average)

Average percentage frequency distribution: very good 51; good 42; fair 6; poor 1; very poor <1

Year(s): 
2016
5
Improving
Confidence (in grade): 
Adequate
Confidence (in trend): 
Adequate
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Comparable

Victoria - Geelong - PM10 (24-hour average)

20162011
Ambient air quality
State and trends

Approach/Process

The approach is based on the characterisation of the air quality of an airshed using its worst performing NEPM compliance station (monitoring site) for PM10. For regional Victoria, that was the Geelong South station.

For each year from 2009 to 2014, monitoring data from the selected station were converted into air quality index values (AQI), which express the measured concentration as a percentage of the standard. An AQI of 100 means that the pollutant is present in the air at the level of the standard. The AQIs were allocated to one of the five qualitative categories commonly used by Australian environment protection agencies to report air quality (very good 0–33, good 34–66, fair 67–99, poor 100–149, and very poor 150+).

The yearly percentage distributions were then used as the basis for assigning an overall AQI for the pollutant at each station using the criteria set out in Table A. The assessment was compared with that given in SoE 2011 to assess the trend. Note that a percentage of <1 means that there are values in a particular category, albeit at a very low count, whereas a percentage of 0 means there are no values present in a category.

Table A Criteria for assigning overall AQI-based qualitative categories

 

Annual distribution of AQI values

Overall category

Very good (%)

Good (%)

Fair (%)

Poor (%)

Very poor (%)

Very good

>50

>20

<10

<10

<5

Good

>20

>30

<20

<20

<10

Fair

<10

<20

>30

>20

<10

Poor

<10

<20

<20

>30

>20

Very poor

<5

<10

<10

>20

>50

Supplementary rules for assessing overall AQI

  • If the percentage very good is greater than 45 and is also greater than the percentage good, assessment grade is very good.
  • If the percentage good is greater than 75, the percentage very good can be as low as zero and the assessment grade is good.
  • If the assessment grade has stayed the same between 2011 and 2016 reports but the frequency of percentages within the grade has increased, the trend is set to ‘improving’ to reflect the increase.

 

Data/Information sources

Data used in assessment: PM10 concentrations (24-hour averages) from Geelong South NEPM station in regional Victoria

Quality of data used in assessment: High

 

Data custodian: Environment Protection Authority Victoria

 

 

Comments

Nil.

Topics

Average percentage frequency distribution: very good 39; good 49; fair 9; poor 2; very poor 1

Year(s): 
2011
4
Stable
Confidence (in grade): 
Adequate
Confidence (in trend): 
Adequate
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Not assessed

Topics

Western Australia - Bunbury - PM10 (24-hour average)

Average percentage frequency distribution: very good 51; good 46; fair 2; poor <1; very poor <1

Year(s): 
2016
5
Improving
Confidence (in grade): 
Adequate
Confidence (in trend): 
Adequate
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Comparable

Western Australia - Bunbury - PM10 (24-hour average)

20162011
Ambient air quality
State and trends

Approach/Process

The approach is based on the characterisation of the air quality of an airshed using its worst performing NEPM compliance station (monitoring site) for PM10. For regional Western Australia, that was the Bunbury station.

For each year from 2009 to 2014, monitoring data from the selected station were converted into air quality index values (AQI), which express the measured concentration as a percentage of the standard. An AQI of 100 means that the pollutant is present in the air at the level of the standard. The AQIs were allocated to one of the five qualitative categories commonly used by Australian environment protection agencies to report air quality (very good 0–33, good 34–66, fair 67–99, poor 100–149, and very poor 150+).

The yearly percentage distributions were then used as the basis for assigning an overall AQI for the pollutant at each station using the criteria set out in Table A. The assessment was compared with that given in SoE 2011 to assess the trend. Note that a percentage of <1 means that there are values in a particular category, albeit at a very low count, whereas a percentage of 0 means there are no values present in a category.

Table A Criteria for assigning overall AQI-based qualitative categories

 

Annual distribution of AQI values

Overall category

Very good (%)

Good (%)

Fair (%)

Poor (%)

Very poor (%)

Very good

>50

>20

<10

<10

<5

Good

>20

>30

<20

<20

<10

Fair

<10

<20

>30

>20

<10

Poor

<10

<20

<20

>30

>20

Very poor

<5

<10

<10

>20

>50

Supplementary rules for assessing overall AQI

  • If the percentage very good is greater than 45 and is also greater than the percentage good, assessment grade is very good.
  • If the percentage good is greater than 75, the percentage very good can be as low as zero and the assessment grade is good.
  • If the assessment grade has stayed the same between 2011 and 2016 reports but the frequency of percentages within the grade has increased, the trend is set to ‘improving’ to reflect the increase.

 

Data/Information sources

Data used in assessment: PM10 concentrations (24-hour averages) from Bunbury NEPM station in regional Western Australia

Quality of data used in assessment: High

 

Data custodian: Office of Environment Protection Authority

 

 

Comments

Nil.

Topics

Average percentage frequency distribution: very good 46; good 52; fair 2; poor 0; very poor 0

Year(s): 
2011
4
Stable
Confidence (in grade): 
Adequate
Confidence (in trend): 
Adequate
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Not assessed

Topics

Assessment Summary Key

Grades

Very good

Air quality is considered very good, and air pollution poses little or no risk

Good

Air quality is considered good, and air pollution poses little or no risk

Fair

Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a health concerns for very sensitive people

Poor

Air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups. The general population is not likely to be affected in this range

Very poor

Air quality is unhealthy, and everyone may begin to experience health effects. People from sensitive groups
may experience more serious health effects

Recent Trends

  • Improving

  • Stable

  • Deteriorating

  • Unclear

Confidence

  • Adequate: Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus

  • Somewhat adequate: Adequate high-quality evidence or high level of consensus

  • Limited: Limited evidence or limited consensus

  • Very limited: Limited evidence and limited consensus

  • Low: Evidence and consensus too low to make an assessment

Comparability

  • Comparable: Grade and trend are comparable to the previous assessment

  • Somewhat comparable: Grade and trend are somewhat comparable to the previous assessment

  • Not comparable: Grade and trend are not comparable to the previous assessment

  • Not previously assessed

Keywood MD, Emmerson KM, Hibberd MF (2016). Ambient air quality: Regional cities' scorecard for particles (PM10) NEPM 24-hour standard, based on analysis of air quality index values, 1999-2014 . In: Australia state of the environment 2016, Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra, https://soe.environment.gov.au/assessment-summary/ambient-air-quality/regional-cities-scorecard-particles-pm10-nepm-24-hour, DOI 10.4226/94/58b65c70bc372