Air monitoring reports

Why EPA monitors

EPA monitors air quality in order to ensure that the health and wellbeing of Victorians is maintained. Monitoring provides information on the concentration of pollutants in the air. This:

• enables assessment of air quality relative to objectives
• informs the development of air quality management strategies
• allows evaluation of the effectiveness of air quality management activities.

What EPA monitors

EPA monitors a range of pollutants with known health impacts. Air quality objectives are set in the State Environment Protection Policy (Ambient Air Quality) for seven common pollutants.

How EPA assesses the air monitoring results

Air quality is assessed against the State Environment Protection Policy (Ambient Air Quality). The policy specifies both objectives and goals:

1. Objectives are a quantifiable characteristic of the air against which air quality can be assessed (typically a pollutant concentration). The objectives are set at levels that protect beneficial uses, including:
   • human health and wellbeing
   • visibility
   • aesthetic enjoyment and local amenity.

2. Goals in the policy specify the maximum permissible number of exceedences of the objectives per year and a timeframe in which this goal must be met (by 2008). The goals guide the formulation of strategies for the management of human activities that may affect the environment.

Reporting of air quality

EPA prepares an annual air monitoring report that assesses our compliance with the air quality policy. View the reports for:

• 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998

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