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Appendix 1 Air Quality Goals |
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Ambient air quality goals recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council
(adapted from http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/pdfcover/aircover.htm)
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| Goals for Maximum Permissible Levels of Pollutants in Ambient Air* |
| Pollutant |
Measurement
(µg/m3)
|
Units
(ppm)
|
Measurement Criteria |
Notes |
NHMRC Session at
which recommended |
| Carbon monoxide (CO) |
10,000 |
9 |
Eight hour average not to be exceeded more than once a year |
This period of measurement is not to be confused with that for Threshold Limit Values. |
98th (Oct 1984) |
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| Lead |
1.5 |
- |
Three month average |
- |
88th (Oct 1979) |
Nitrogen
dioxide (NO2) |
320 |
0.16 |
One hour level not to be exceeded more than once a month |
0.16 ppm replaces 0.17 ppm to conform with the method of measurement |
92nd (Oct 1981) |
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| Ozone, photochemical oxidants |
210 |
0.10 |
Maximum hourly average not to be exceeded more than once a year |
A public warning to be given if ozone levels are expected to rise above 500 µg/m3 (0.25 ppm). |
119th (June 1995) |
| 170 |
0.08 |
Four hour average |
- |
119th (June 1995) |
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| Sulfates |
15 |
- |
Annual mean |
- |
104th (Nov 1987) |
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| Sulfur dioxide (SO2) |
700 |
0.25 |
Ten minutes average |
“CAUTION: At these recommended levels, there still may be some people (for example, asthmatics and those suffering chronic lung disease) who will experience respiratory symptoms and may need further medical advice or medication”. |
120th (Nov 1995) |
| 570 |
0.20 |
One hour average |
120th (Nov 1995) |
| 60 |
0.02 |
Annual mean |
106th (Nov 1988) |
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| Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) |
90
|
-
|
Annual mean |
TSP goal to be read in conjunction with annual SO2 goal. |
92nd (Oct 1981) |
| * Expressed at 00C and 101.3 kPa. May 1996 |
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Interim national indoor air quality goals recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council
(adapted from http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/pdfcover/aircover.htm)
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| Goals for Maximum Permissible Levels of Pollutants in Indoor Air* |
| Pollutant |
Measurement
(µg/m3)
|
Units
(ppm)
|
Measurement Criteria |
Notes |
NHMRC Session at
which recommended |
| Carbon monoxide (CO) |
10,000 |
9 |
Eight hour average not to
be exceeded more than
once a year
|
This period of measurement is
not to be confused with that
for Threshold Limit Values.
|
98th (Oct 1984)
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| Formaldehyde # |
120 |
0.1 |
Not to be exceeded |
Within domestic premises and schools |
93rd (June 1982) |
| Lead |
1.5 |
- |
Three month average |
- |
88th (Oct 1979) |
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| Ozone, photochemical oxidants |
210 |
0.10 |
Maximum hourly average not to be exceeded more than once a year |
A public warning to be given if ozone levels are expected to rise above 500 µg/m3 (0.25 ppm). |
119th (June 1995) |
| 170 |
0.08 |
Four hour average |
- |
119th (June 1995) |
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| Radon # |
200 becquerels
per cubic metre
(5.4 nCi/m3) |
- |
Annual mean |
Action level for simple remedial action in Australian homes. Where the concentration exceeds this level, householders should consult the appropriate State authority for advice. |
109th (May 1990) |
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| Sulfur dioxide (SO2) |
700 |
0.25 |
Ten minute average |
“CAUTION: At these recommended levels, there still may be some people (for example, asthmatics and those suffering chronic lung disease) who will experience respiratory symptoms and may need further medical advice or medication”. |
120th (Nov 1995) |
| |
570 |
0.20 |
One hour average |
120th (Nov 1995) |
| |
60 |
0.02 |
Annual mean |
106th (Nov 1988) |
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| Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) |
90 |
- |
Annual mean |
TSP goal to be read in conjunction with annual SO2 goal. |
92nd (Oct 1981) |
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| Total Volatile Organic Compounds |
500 |
- |
Hourly average |
A single compound shall not contribute more than 50% of the total |
115th (June 1993) |
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| * Expressed at 00C and 101.3 kPa. May 1996 # Formaldehyde and Radon are final goals |
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Content Updated March 2005
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Last Updated ( Friday, 25 July 2008 )
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