Air Health Monitor FAQs

Air pollution occurs when the air contains substances that impact and cause harm to humans, animals and the environment. Air pollution can contain a mixture of tiny particles, liquids or gases. Extracting and burning fossil fuels (oil, gas, and coal) is the major source of greenhouse gases and air pollution¹. Air pollution is caused by:

• on-road vehicles such as cars, buses and trucks
• off-road vehicles and equipment such as dump trucks, bulldozers and marine vessels
• domestic activities such as burning wood fires, including using wood heaters, fuel-powered garden equipment, and portable fuel containers
• natural sources such as bushfires, dust storms, sea salt and pollen
• commercial businesses such as spray painters, printers, quarries, service stations
• industrial activities such as coal mining, oil refining and power generation

In major cities across Australia, one of the main sources of air pollution is from motor vehicle emissions, caused by diesel and petroleum combustion².

¹ NSW Environmental protection agency. About air pollution. Accessed at https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/air/air-nsw-overview/about-air-pollution
² Better health (Vic), Air pollution. Accessed at https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/air-pollution

Australia has regulations for air pollutants and toxins, including carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), particulate matter (PM), and sulphur dioxide (SO₂).

Several pollutants are of concern in a localised environment, due to their impact and composition.

PM is made up of tiny particles and are less than 10 micrometres (PM₁₀) or 2.5 micrometres (PM_2.5). PM can be made up of nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), black carbon (soot), oxides of sulphur (SOx) (including SO₂) and ammonia (NH₃); which can also react in the atmosphere to create more harmful compounds.

PM (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5) can be inhaled deep into the lungs, and PM_2.5 is so tiny it can go straight into the bloodstream, primarily impacting the heart and lungs. The WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified PM as cancer causing, since 2013¹.

NO₂ is mostly produced by motor vehicles in built up areas, is the main source of NOx aerosols, and is a significant precursor to the formation of PM_2.5 ². NO₂ impacts on the respiratory system and can cause bronchitis and lung problems³.

Ozone is beneficial in the upper atmosphere, but at ground level it causes smog and is harmful to humans. Ozone is formed through chemical reactions from NOx (including NO₂) and VOCs. Ozone impacts the respiratory system causing breathing issues, asthma, reduced lung function and lung diseases⁴.

¹ World Health Organisation, 2021, New WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines aim to save millions of lives from air pollution. Accessed at https://www.who.int/news/item/22-09-2021-new-who-global-air-quality-guidelines-aim-to-save-millions-of-lives-from-air-pollution
² World Health Organisation, 2021, Ambient (outdoor) air pollution. Accessed at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health#:~:text=Health%20effects,-Excessive%20ozone%20in&text=It%20can%20cause%20breathing%20problems,function%20and%20cause%20lung%20diseases.
³ World Health Organisation, 2021, Ambient (outdoor) air pollution. Accessed at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health#:~:text=Health%20effects,-Excessive%20ozone%20in&text=It%20can%20cause%20breathing%20problems,function%20and%20cause%20lung%20diseases.
⁴ World Health Organisation, 2021, Ambient (outdoor) air pollution. Accessed at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health#:~:text=Health%20effects,-Excessive%20ozone%20in&text=It%20can%20cause%20breathing%20problems,function%20and%20cause%20lung%20diseases

Anyone can be affected by air pollution especially when exposed over a long time¹. Children, pregnant women and unborn babies, elderly people and those with pre-existing heart and lung conditions are especially affected by air pollution².

Air pollution contributed to more than 3,200 Australian deaths in 2018 – a 26 per cent increase from 2015. It’s estimated that in 2018, air pollution contributed to approximately 5.8 per cent of all cardiovascular disease, 3.2 per cent of all respiratory disease and 0.6 per cent of all cancers³. Cars, trucks, and motorbikes are some of Australia’s biggest causes of air pollution in urban areas, and major contributors to our emissions.

¹ Department of Health (NSW) (2013), Who is affected by air pollution? Accessed at https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/air/Pages/who-is-affected.aspx
² Department of Health (NSW) (2013), Who is affected by air pollution? Accessed at https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/air/Pages/who-is-affected.aspx
³ Australian Government - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2021), Australian Burden of Disease Study Impact and causes of illness and death in Australia 2018.

By global standards, Perth experiences relatively good air quality, but the RAC Air Health Monitor heatmap has shown there are often times when our air quality exceeds the WHO AQG 24-hour average thresholds.

In 2018, 3,236 deaths were attributable to air pollution in Australia¹, almost three times the annual national road toll.

¹ Australian Government - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2021), Australian Burden of Disease Study Impact and causes of illness and death in Australia 2018. Accessed at https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/5ef18dc9-414f-4899-bb35-08e239417694/aihw-bod-29.pdf.aspx?inline=true

Australia established the National Clean Air Agreement in 2015, with State Environment Ministers agreeing to further reduce the AQI values in 2021. The Federal Government is responsible for fuel quality, and noxious emissions from vehicles and outdoor equipment¹, while individual states cover legislation to measure local air quality.

¹ Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Air quality. Accessed at https://www.environment.gov.au/protection/air-quality

The RAC Air Health Monitor is comprised of a network of air quality sensors built by Californian technology company Clarity, which has deployed its next-generation, highly accurate indicative sensors in more than 60 countries.

Using a model developed by global engineering firm, Ramboll, the RAC Air Health Monitor blends air quality data from the network of sensors with other sources, including data from satellites and traffic monitoring services.

The RAC Air Health Monitor is powered by a network of sensors, along with input from real-time traffic emission, meteorology and industrial activity which provides air quality data to the Perth community about the air they breathe and the impact of vehicle emissions on their everyday lives.

We use an interactive model which blends air quality data from our sensor network with other sources, including near real time traffic data from Main Roads WA, and motor vehicle emissions modelling from Copert Australia.

Air quality data is presented via a heatmap which displays the last 48 hours of hourly air quality with the option to select historical data featuring daily, weekly, monthly and annual averages.

Emissions data inventory is used from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) database. Emissions from vehicles are derived from a combination of traffic flow which is taken from a third party application programming interface that provides real time traffic data in the same way google maps provides live traffic reports (from peoples phones), Main Roads WA and COPERT Australia motor vehicle emissions modelling.

RAC began reviewing the WA AQI categories as part of the RAC Air Health Monitor development, in comparison to the WHO recommended guideline thresholds — the WHO AQGs.

The WHO releases guideline values which set annual averages and 24-hour averages for the displayed pollutants. The guideline value averages, set a level that nations should be aiming to not exceed over the set timeframe, so it made sense to include these values as category thresholds.

In WA, we utilise the WA AQI to measure air quality. Across the globe, we commonly assign different colours to classify and communicate air quality levels. We identified that the WA AQI the category labels did not reflect the realities of what was occurring. To find out more about this, click here.

Our Vision 2030 is for a safer, sustainable and connected future for Western Australians. To create a more sustainable future, we must eliminate harmful vehicle emissions, so current and future generations can enjoy healthier and cleaner air.

RAC have set ambitious targets for 2030, with social impact metrics which measure and track progress toward these:

• Healthier air - NOx emissions per km travelled by car – 15% reduction in 2030 from a 2016/17 base (but capped at 10% increase in 2025 from the base)
• Cleaner air - CO₂ emissions per km travelled by car – 20% reduction in 2030 from a 2016/17 base (3% reduction in 2025)

The collection of accurate air quality data for the main cities and shires in regional WA will be considered based on outcomes and learnings from the Perth air health monitor.

Local air pollution and health experts led by Professor Gavin Pereira from Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University as part of the Planning and Transport Research Centre (PATREC) have provided support of the RAC Air Health Monitor through an independent review.

Australia's vehicle fleet is one of the biggest contributors to air pollution in urban areas.

We need to see national leadership on tackling vehicle emissions. We want to see government commit to introducing policies and increasing funding for infrastructure and initiatives that will significantly accelerate the transition to clean transport. RAC urges government to:

• Introduce an impactful mandatory CO2 emissions standard for all light vehicles sold in Australia. We’re currently one of the only developed nations in the world without one.
• Tighten the existing noxious vehicle emissions standards to align with the Euro 6 standard.
• State and Federal governments should focus on encouraging the uptake of electric vehicles.

To read more about RAC’s priority actions that government needs to take to achieve cleaner, healthier air, check out our State and Federal budget submissions.

You can take action to reduce emissions by:

• Choosing a greener travel option like public transport, car-pooling or cycling, for more trips
• When you can, choosing to purchase or drive low and zero emission vehicles, such as electric and hybrid vehicles
• Idling your vehicle less – especially in busy pedestrian areas
• At home, choosing options like solar panels and ‘green’ power plans

Read more about actions you can take.

• When the air quality is poor, try to stay inside with your doors and windows closed, and avoid vigorous outdoor exercise.
• If that’s not feasible or you don’t feel comfortable in your home, try to head to buildings with air con, such as public libraries, shopping centres and cinemas.
• Make sure to always follow the advice from your doctor or a medical professional, and always follow directions from emergency services.
• Directions are available from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulations during periods where the PM2.5 concentrations are elevated. Please follow directions from emergency services and advice from your doctor at all times.