A new $200,000 air quality monitoring station has been installed in Jaeger Reserve, Orange giving residents of the region access to real time data on air quality.
The Office of Environment and Heritage’s (OEH) Director of Atmospheric Science, Matt Riley said the new station brings the number of stations in the NSW Air Quality Monitoring Network across the state to 47.
“This new station in Orange follows recent additions in Armidale, Gunnedah, Narrabri and Parramatta over the past few years as part of OEH’s ambitious expansion program for its air quality monitoring network,” Mr Riley said.
“New South Wales leads the nation in monitoring air quality and it is a critical part of the Government’s 10-year plan to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing pollution from industry and transport.
“We expect wood smoke will impact air quality readings in Orange during winter and this station will provide residents with easily-accessible data on pollution levels so they are able to make better decision on how to manage potential health impacts.
“The data will also guide policymakers, regulators, and researchers to continue to improve public health in the Central West.
“The good news is we know New South Wales has some of the best air quality in the world and until the state became drought affected, the state’s overall air quality for the last 15-20 years had been improving with decreased levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone and PM10 particles.
Mr Riley said OEH was injecting $3.15 million into monitoring air quality over the current financial year which will translate to new stations in other areas too including Goulburn, Coffs Harbour, Penrith and Sydney CBD.”
The new air quality monitoring station in Jaeger Reserve, Orange will go live on Monday.
Detailed regionally-specific air quality data is available on the OEH website, and updated on an hourly basis.
Data: Air quality data
Reports: Air publications
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