Some of EPA’s air quality measurement and reporting methods are accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA). Our NATA accreditation number is 15119.
Air quality information is available from EPA AirWatch.
How we collect air monitoring data
Instrument or parameter | Australian Standard | NATA-accreditated |
---|---|---|
Siting | AS 3580.1.1 | Yes |
TEOM (PM10) | AS 3580.9.8 |
Yes |
Nephelometer (visibility reduction) | AS 3580.12.1 | Yes |
BAM (PM2.5) | AS 3580.9.12: 2013 | No |
Portable air monitor (PM2.5 indicative) | - | No |
Nephelometer (PM2.5 indicative) | - | No |
Meteorological (wind speed and direction) | AS3580.14 | Yes |
Carbon monoxide (CO) | AS 3580.7.1 | Yes |
Ozone (O3) | AS 3580.6.1 | Yes |
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) | AS 3580.4.1 | Yes |
Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) | AS 3580.5.1 | Yes |
High Vol (PM10) | AS 3580.9.6 | No |
Partisol (PM2.5) |
AS 3580.9.10 | No |
Our work with High Vol (PM10) and Partisol (PM2.5) is currently performed by a contractor, Golder Associates P/L (NATA accreditation number 1910). They use EPA sites and equipment.
Location of EPA’s air monitoring sites
We put our air monitoring sites in areas that represent the air quality experienced by most people. For example, most Victorians live and work close to roads. This is why most of our air monitoring sites are in population centres next to roads.
The Australian Standard (AS 3580.1.1) specifies that air monitoring stations should be more than 50 metres from a road. Currently, only our Footscray air monitoring site meets this requirement.
Read more about EPA air quality monitoring
Calculating air quality categories
People sensitive to air pollution
Reviewed 28 October 2019