## Metadata ## ### CAR's National Monitor DB ### #### Variables and units of measurement #### | Variable category | DB variable name | Variable description | Units of measurement | Units description | |------------------------|------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|----------------------------| | **Particulate matter** | api | Airborne particle index/visibility reduction | | Dimensionless measurement | | | coarse_pm | Coarse PM (PM10-PM2.5) | ug_per_m3 | Micrograms per cubic metre | | | neph | Visablity as measured by a nephelometer. Also known as BSP and Visibility Reducing Particles | inverse_megametres | inverse_megametres = 10^-4_per_m * 100 | | | pm25 | Particulate matter <2.5 microns in diameter | ug_per_m3 | Micrograms per cubic metre | | | pm10 | Particulate matter <10 microns in diameter | ug_per_m3 | Micrograms per cubic metre | | | pm10_black_carbon | TBA | ug_per_m3 | Micrograms per cubic metre | | | tsp | Total Suspended Particles up to ~100 microns in diameter| ug_per_m3 | Micrograms per cubic metre | | **Gases** | co | Carbon monoxide | ppm | Parts per million | | | o3 | Ozone | ppm | Parts per million | | | nh3 | Ammonia | ppm | Parts per million | | | no, no2, nox | Nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide, all oxides of nitrogen | ppm | Parts per million | | **Organic compounds** | benzene | Benzene (cyclic hydrocarbon) | ppb | Parts per billion | | | formaldehyde | Formaldehyde | ppb | Parts per billion | | | methane | Methane | ppb | Parts per billion | | | toluene | Toluene | ppb | Parts per billion | | | xylenes, p-xylen | Xylene, para-xylene | ppb | Parts per billion | | **Meteorolgical variables** | air_pressure | Air pressure | hPa | Hectopascal | | | dew_point | Dew point | degrees_C | Degrees Celsius | | | humidity | Relative humidity | percent | % relative humidity | | | rain | Rainfall | mm | Millimetres per square metre | | | solar | Solar radiation | W_per_m2 | Watts per square metre | | | temperature | Temperature | degrees_C | Degrees Celsius | | | temperature_internal| Indoor temperature | degrees_C | Degrees Celsius | | | wind_direction | Wind direction | degrees | Degrees from true North | | | wind_direction_std_dev | Wind direction standard deviation | degrees | Degrees | | | wind_speed | Wind speed | m_per_s | Metres per second | | | wind_speed_scalar | Wind speed (scalar) | m_per_s | Metres per second | | | wind_speed_std_dev | Wind speed standard deviation | m_per_s | Metres per second | ### Australian Standards ### Australian legislation regarding air pollution monitoring methods and standards can be found [here][1]. ### NSW EPA Metadata ### #### NSW measurement metadata #### Information on the NSW measurement methods can be found [here][2]. ### SA EPA Metadata ### #### Station metadata #### Information on the SA AP monitor stations can be found [here][3]. ### TAS EPA Metadata ### Tasmania only measures PM2.5 and PM10 daily. There is no hourly measurements, gases, metals or meteorological variables. The monitors comprise a 'BLANkET' network of DustTrak field monitors. More information on this network can be found [here][4]. ### Qld DES Metadata ### #### Qld measurement metadata #### **Data resolution:** One-hour average values (one-hour sum for rainfall) **Data row timestamp:** Start of averaging period **Calm conditions:** No hourly average wind direction is reported when the hourly average wind speed is zero **Barometric pressure:** Values are at monitoring station elevation, not corrected to mean sea level **Daily zero/span response check:** Automated instrument zero/span response checks are conducted daily between midnight and 1am at Queensland Government sites (can differ at industry sites). Where this takes place an ambient hourly value cannot be reported. **Sampling height:** Four metres above ground (unless otherwise indicated) #### Qld variables #### Source data have the following information. **Carbon monoxide** Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas formed when substances containing carbon (such as petrol, gas, coal and wood) are burned with an insufficient supply of air. It has serious health impacts on humans and animals, especially those with cardiovascular disease. Abbreviation: CO Measured in: parts per million (ppm) Guideline: 9ppm (8hr avg) **Nitrogen dioxide** Nitrogen dioxide is an acidic and highly corrosive gas. Nitrogen oxides are critical components of photochemical smog. Long-term exposure to high levels of nitrogen dioxide can cause chronic lung disease and affect the senses. Abbreviation: NO₂ Measured in: parts per million (ppm) Guideline: 0.08ppm (1hr avg) **Ozone** Ozone is a colourless, highly reactive gas with a distinctive odour. The upper atmosphere ozone layer (at altitudes of 15–35km) protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The ozone layer reduction represents a global atmosphere issue. Abbreviation: O₃ Measured in: parts per million (ppm) Guideline: 0.1ppm (1hr avg) **Sulfur dioxide** Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a colourless gas with a sharp, irritating odour. It is produced by burning fossil fuels and by the smelting of mineral ores that contain sulfur. Abbreviation: SO₂ Measured in: parts per million (ppm) Guideline: 0.1ppm (1hr avg) **Particles TSP** Airborne particles up to about 100 micrometres in diameter are referred to as TSP (total suspended particles). These particles are generated by combustion and non-combustion processes, including windblown dust, sea salt, earthworks, mining activities, industrial processes, motor vehicle engines and fires. Abbreviation: TSP Measured in: micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) Guideline: 100µg/m³ (1hr avg) and 80µg/m³ (24hr avg) **Particle PM10** Airborne particles less than 10 micrometres in diameter, referred to as PM10, can be hazardous to human health or cause a nuisance when present in the air at elevated levels. They are capable of penetrating the lower airways of humans and can cause possible negative health effects. Abbreviation: PM10 Measured in: micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) Guideline: 100µg/m³ (1hr avg) and 50µg/m³ (24hr avg) **Particle PM2.5** Airborne particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter, referred to as PM2.5, can be hazardous to human health or cause a nuisance when present in the air at elevated levels. They are capable of penetrating the lower airways of humans and can cause possible negative health effects. Abbreviation: PM2.5 Measured in: micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) Guideline: 50µg/m³ (1hr avg) and 25µg/m³ (24hr avg) **Visibility** Aerosols and fine particles can reduce visibility. Smoke from fires or haze are common causes of poor visibility. Abbreviation: Bsp Measured in: inverse megametres (Mm⁻¹) Guideline: 235Mm⁻¹ (1hr avg) **METEOROLOGICAL DATA** **Wind direction** When high pollutant concentrations occur at a monitoring station, wind data records can determine the general direction and area of the emissions. Identifying the sources means planning to reduce the impacts on air quality can take place. The measurement indicates the direction the wind is coming from. Abbreviation: WD Measured in: degrees (deg) **Wind speed** When high pollutant concentrations occur at a monitoring station, wind data records can determine the general direction and area of the emissions. Identifying the sources means planning to reduce the impacts on air quality can take place. Abbreviation: WS Measured in: metres per second (m/s) **Humidity** Like temperature and solar radiation, water vapour plays an important role in many thermal and photochemical reactions in the atmosphere. Abbreviation: Hum Measured in: percentage (%) **Temperature** Measuring temperature supports air quality assessment, air quality modelling and forecasting activities. Abbreviation: Temp Measured in: degrees Celsius (°C) **Solar radiation** Measuring solar radiation is beneficial for modelling photochemical smog events, as the intensity of sunlight has an important influence on the rate of the chemical reactions that produce the smog. The cloudiness of the sky, time of day and geographic location all affect sunlight intensity. Abbreviation: Rad Measured in: W/m² **Rainfall** Rain has a ‘scavenging’ effect when it washes particulate matter out of the atmosphere and dissolves gaseous pollutants. Removing particles improves visibility. Where there is frequent high rainfall, air quality is generally better. Abbreviation: Rainfall Measured in: mm **ORGANICS** **Benzene** Benzene is an organic compound occurring naturally in fossil fuels and entering the atmosphere from both natural processes and human activities that involve the combustion of organic matter. Long-term exposure results in an increased incidence of blood and immune system disorders, including anaemia and leukaemia. Abbreviation: Benz Measured in: parts per billion (ppb) Guideline: 250ppb (24hr avg) **Toluene** Toluene is a colourless organic liquid. Burning organic matter, such as wood, coal and petroleum products generates toluene, and it occurs naturally in crude oil. Motor vehicle emissions are the main source of toluene in the urban air environment, although evaporative losses from fuel storage facilities and service stations, as well as the use of toluene-based solvents and thinners are other contributors. Abbreviation: Tol Measured in: parts per billion (ppb) Guideline: 1000ppb (24hr avg) **Xylene** Burning organic matter, such as wood, coal and petroleum products generates xylene, and it also occurs naturally in crude oil. Motor vehicle emissions are the predominant source of xylene in the urban air environment. Abbreviation: Xyl Measured in: parts per billion (ppb) Guideline: 250ppb (24hr avg) **Formaldehyde** Formaldehyde in its normal state is a colourless gas. Low levels of formaldehyde are part of naturally occurring decomposition processes. In urban environments formaldehyde emission sources include motor vehicle exhaust, domestic solid fuel and gas combustion, goods manufactured with formaldehyde-based glues and resins and tobacco smoke. Abbreviation: Formald Measured in: parts per billion (ppb) Guideline: 40ppb (24hr avg) **METALS** **Lead** Lead is commonly used in manufacturing products like batteries and solders. The major emission source is from the mining, smelting and processing of mineral ores. Inhaling or consuming lead and its compounds can affect the human body, particularly the nervous system, and may result in growth and developmental problems in children. Abbreviation: Pb Measured in: micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) Guideline: 2µg/m³ (24hr avg) **Arsenic** Elemental arsenic does not occur naturally but its compounds are widespread, often occurring with metal-bearing ores and released during processing. It is widely used in timber preservatives and pesticides, and is well-documented as an occupational hazard. Abbreviation: As Measured in: micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) Guideline: 0.3µg/m³ (24hr avg) **Cadmium** Cadmium compounds occur naturally in the environment, particularly in areas of mineralisation. The major emission source is the processing of metal ores for lead, zinc and copper, where cadmium is a valuable by-product. Abbreviation: Cd Measured in: micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) Guideline: 2µg/m³ (24hr avg) **Copper** Copper is one of a number of essential metals, and a small daily intake is required to maintain a healthy life. However, ingesting high levels of the element can lead to adverse health effects, as some of its compounds are toxic. Abbreviation: Cu Measured in: micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) Guideline: 50µg/m³ (24hr avg) **Zinc** Zinc occurs widely in nature, and is another metal essential in trace quantities for good health. Exposure to elevated levels is more likely through occupational exposure in industry such as mining and smelting and processing of metal ores. Insufficient zinc intake has a detrimental effect on growth, and immune and reproductive system development. Adverse health effects generally only occur where the exposure is high. Abbreviation: Zn Measured in: micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) Guideline: 120µg/m³ (24hr avg) **Nickel** Abbreviation: Ni Measured in: micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) Guideline: 0.12µg/m³ (24hr avg) [1]: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/F2007B01142 [2]: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/air/air-quality-basics/sampling-air-pollution [3]: http://www.location.sa.gov.au/lms/Reports/ReportMetadata.aspx?p_no=1029 [4]: https://epa.tas.gov.au/environment/air/monitoring-air-pollution/how-we-monitor/about-blanket