Issues in Australian Environments: Air Quality

Here are some books that you may find useful during your studies.  Search the Bennies catalogue Accessit for more, or browse the Non-fiction collection NFS.

Air pollution comes from many sources, so to find the best ways to improve air quality we need to know the contribution made by each source. While urban and regional air pollution arises from a combination of natural, commercial business, domestic activity, industrial premises, motor vehicle and off-road vehicles and equipment emissions, the contributions vary according to location.

Air quality standards increase pollution and heath risks- ABC News

Air pollution increases 69% as coal named top polluter- SMH

What kills 3000 Australians a year?- The Guardian

Study suggests air pollution is killing three million people per year prematurely- news.com.au

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Digital Editions- Sydney Districts

Australian Greens health spokesperson, Dr Richard Di Natale, was interviewed by The Project about his Senate Inquiry into the health impacts of air pollution, such as coal dust.

What is pollution? What causes pollution? Where is pollution found? Who will take charge of the big cleanup? This program answers these questions while discussing how pollution impacts on the environment and its disastrous consequences. Studied in detail are substances that constitute pollution in the environment including green house gasses, oil, fossil fuels, plastic, litter, and human waste. We also discuss the problem of pollution in developing countries and what needs to be done to foster a sustainable future. An eye-opening program about the effects of pollution on our planet.

Air quality index (AQI) values are updated hourly and a daily air quality forecast is made for the Greater Sydney Metropolitan Region at 4pm each day.

Air pollution in Australia- Real-time air quality index visual map

•     Current Environmental Issues 

  Current Environmental Issues is a collection of newspaper articles presenting current issues facing the environment and the people and technologies overcoming environmental challenges. Articles cover topics including waste disposal, renewable energy, wildlife conservation and activism.
•     Current Social Issues 

  Current Social Issues is a collection of newspaper articles presenting current issues in society including human rights, ethics, politics, war and science. Articles cover topics including cloning, education, immigration, crime, censorship. Very useful for students studying society, culture, current affairs and global issues.
• ​    Geodate 

  This journal is designed for teachers and students of geography and environmental studies. Topics include environmentalism, conservation, politics, water supply, health and global finance. Includes maps and diagrams to further illustrate the topic issues.

   

      National Geographic

  This journal covers issues in the environment, natural history, biology, conservationism, geography and current affairs. Published by the National Geographic Society, a non-profit organisation determined to increase widespread geographic knowledge.

Not only does the air we breathe impact our health and well being, good air quality is critical for supporting the amenity of the places we live in, our environment, and maintaining our way of life.

The respiratory and cardiovascular effects of air pollution have long been known. In recent years, air pollution has also been identified as a cause of cancer. Sensitive individuals (for example, children, the elderly and those with existing heart and lung diseases) are particularly susceptible to the effects of air pollution. Both short-term and long-term exposure to air pollution can cause health problems.

National Clean Air Agreement

National Air Quality Standards

Air pollution is the greatest environmental issue concerning Australians (Environmental Issues: Peoples Views and Practices (4602.0)). Poor air quality can have a number of negative impacts on both environmental and human health (EPAV 2000).