Outdoor Air Quality

Find out what affects outdoor air quality in Kwinana, how it is monitored and where to report air pollution concerns.

What is Air Pollution? 

Air pollution is any airborne substance that can negatively impact human health or the environment. It can be the result of from human activities and sometimes natural sources.

What contributes to outdoor air quality?

  • Motor vehicle emissions
  • Burning of fuels including wood & bushfires
  • Dust
  • Paints & Adhesives on new buildings
  • Industrial emissions
  • Smoking 
  • Asbestos
  • Waste management

What are the signs of poor outdoor air quality?

Individuals may experience different impacts from outdoor air quality:

Symptoms may include:

  • irritation of the throat, nose, eyes, skin, 
  • coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath 
  • fatigue
  • nausea
  • headache 

The following may also be observed:

  • Unusual odour
  • excess dust or haze 
  • yellowish or brownish smog

How is outdoor air quality monitored? 

In 2022 the City of Kwinana was approached by the RAC to host several air quality monitors. There are currently 4 RAC Air Health Monitors across the City and 200 state wide 

These sensors track near real-time data for hourly, daily, and annual measurements. The 24-hour average between 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024
(average of the four air sensors):

  • PM2.5 – 6.5 µg/m³ - GOOD
  • PM10 – 18 µg/m³ – GOOD 
  • NO₂ – 12.4 µg/m³ – GOOD

Check current air quality data in Kwinana

How else is air quality and pollution monitored?

  • The National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) for Particulate Matter (PM) is the standard for dust concentration in cities and towns.

    The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) monitors and enforces this standard. The DWER monitors air quality (external site), including dust, across the Perth metropolitan and major rural areas. The DWER investigates incidents where the standards are exceeded.

  • The DWER licences all industry and activities (external site) that emit pollutants into the environment. Either the DWER or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (external site) can impose conditions on a business that restrict the amount of dust particles that their activities can emit into the air. Businesses must monitor their emissions and report the information back to DWER.

  • Other control measures include planning conditions around the development of residential areas close to emission sources. Planning conditions might include:

    • zoning restrictions and separation distances imposed on planning schemes and developments to prevent conflict of land use
    • use of buffers, such as vegetation buffers (areas of plants and trees) that are often positioned between residential areas and industrial areas and between residential areas and major roads
    • restriction on the type and construction of buildings permitted within an impacted area.

    These measures help to dissipate dust and other pollutants and together with air quality standards are highly effective for reducing dust impacts on communities.

    Dust on development sites are controlled via dust management plans that are assessed by the City’s Environmental Health Team. 

  • Further information and complaints can be made to the City’s Environmental Health Team:

    Make a complaint online with Report It 24/7

    Ask specific questions by emiling the Health Team

What about the Kwinana Industrial Area?

The Kwinana Industrial Area has a buffer zone which is the result of careful, wise and proper planning dating back to when Kwinana was established as the State’s premier heavy industrial area.

Read about the buffer zone for the Kwinana Industrial Area

Industries in Kwinana estimate and measure their emissions levels each year. These levels are documented and published in the National Pollutant Inventory

Where to get help if I am being affected by air pollution?

Your GP

If you have a medical complaint see your GP. Your GP should contact the health department if your medical complaint is related to environmental pollution.

Your local council

Neighbourhood concerns should be raised with your local council. Most councils employ environmental health officers who can investigate local neighbourhood matters. Visit the local government directory.

Department of Water and Environmental Regulation

The DWER operates a pollution response unit that investigates urgent pollution incidents. Phone: 1300 784 782 and all other pollution complaints can also be registered through the DWER reporting pollution form or by email to pollutionwatch@der.wa.gov.au

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