Air pollution is a persistent concern in the capital cities of Australia. Continued exposure
to high levels of common air pollutants such as ozone (O3), oxides of nitrogen (NOx),
carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) can result in serious health impacts,
including premature death and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Those
particularly susceptible are the very young, the elderly and those with pre-existing health
conditions.
This study estimates the health cost of ambient air pollution in the Greater Sydney
Metropolitan Region (GMR), which includes Sydney, Illawarra and the lower Hunter. This
information has been prepared to assist decision-making on proposals that have the
potential to affect the GMR’s air quality.
The total health impact of air pollution can be considered the sum of:
• all independent effects of specific pollutants
• the effects of mixtures, and
• the additional effects (positive or negative) due to interactions between pollutants.