DIRECTOR-GENERAL of ACT Health, Dr Peggy Brown, as launched a new Air Quality Index to let the ACT community to see air quality data in real time.
“ACT Health carries out air quality monitoring for the Ambient Air Quality (AAQ) National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM), which sets air quality standards for common pollutants,” Dr Brown said.
“The ACT monitors five pollutants: carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM10) and particulate matter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) and report on their levels in relation to the standards.
“The AQI expresses the pollutant levels as a percentage value in comparison to the air quality standard for the pollutant. For example, an AQI of 50 indicates the pollutant is at 50% of the standard; an AQI over 100 indicates the pollutant is at a level higher than the standard.
“The AQI value will enable a more meaningful comparison of pollutants affecting air quality by classifying the ambient air quality as good, fair, poor, very poor or hazardous.
“Air Quality Index (AQI) values are derived from air quality monitoring data and allow for more meaningful comparison of pollutants affecting air quality,” Dr Brown said.
The Air Quality Index is available online at: www.health.act.gov.au
Readers will no doubt be thrilled to learn the air quality throughout the Territory is currently “Very Good”.
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