Special projects monitoring - Live air quality data | NSW Dept of Planning and Environment

View the latest air quality concentration values for data collected from special monitoring projects. Follow the air quality category colours and use the activity guide to protect your health.

Find out more about special monitoring projects.

Updates

The Department of Planning and Environment and NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) are partnering to conduct special air quality monitoring projects. These include:
- Cadia Valley – A temporary station has been set up at Millthorpe to assist with data collection from Cadia Valley. Low cost sensor data is available on Purple Air website. Visit the EPA website for more information.
- Warringah Freeway Upgrade/Western Harbour Tunnel – For more information, see the EPA website. This includes a monitoring station at Cammeray Park with data and a network of particle sensors from Wollstonecraft to Middle Harbour, with data on the KOALAs.
News: The NSW Government is developing a dedicated air quality website that presents air quality data and information that is fit-for-purpose, easy to understand and works well on desktop and mobile devices.
We invite you to try our first release or find out more.
Live data is always reported in Standard Time (AEST).

Alerts - none currently

Activity guide

The activity guide below has been derived by categorising air quality into colour indicators, based on threshold values for air pollutants’ concentrations and visibility data. Go with the colours and follow the recommended actions to protect your health.

Air quality category	General health advice and recommended actions
Air quality category	Sensitive groups including: people with a heart or lung condition, including asthma people over the age of 65 infants and children pregnant women	Everyone else
Good	NO CHANGE needed to your normal outdoor activities.	NO CHANGE needed to your normal outdoor activities.
Fair	REDUCE outdoor physical activity if you develop symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath. Consider closing windows and doors until outdoor air quality is better. Follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor. If you are concerned about symptoms call the 24-hour HealthDirect helpline on 1800 022 222 or see your doctor. In a health emergency, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.	NO CHANGE needed to your normal outdoor activities.
Poor	AVOID outdoor physical activity if you develop symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath. When indoors, close windows and doors until outdoor air quality is better. Follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor. If you are concerned about symptoms call the 24-hour HealthDirect helpline on 1800 022 222 or see your doctor. In a health emergency, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.	REDUCE outdoor physical activity if you develop symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath.
Very poor	STAY INDOORS as much as possible with windows and doors closed until outdoor air quality is better. If you feel that the air in your home is uncomfortable, consider going to a place with cleaner air (such as an air-conditioned building like a library or shopping centre) if it is safe to do so. Actively monitor symptoms and follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor. If you are concerned about symptoms call the 24-hour HealthDirect helpline on 1800 022 222 or see your doctor. In a health emergency, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.	AVOID outdoor physical activity if you develop symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath. When indoors, close windows and doors until outdoor air quality is better. If you are concerned about symptoms call the 24-hour HealthDirect helpline on 1800 022 222 or see your doctor. In a health emergency, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
Extremely poor	STAY INDOORS with windows and doors closed until outdoor air quality is better and reduce indoor activity. If you feel that the air in your home is uncomfortable, consider going to a place with cleaner air (such as an air-conditioned building like a library or shopping centre) if it is safe to do so. Actively monitor symptoms and follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor. If you are concerned about symptoms call the 24-hour HealthDirect helpline on 1800 022 222 or see your doctor. In a health emergency, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.	STAY INDOORS as much as possible with windows and doors closed until outdoor air quality is better. If you feel that the air in your home is uncomfortable, consider going to a place with cleaner air (such as an air-conditioned building like a library or shopping centre) if it is safe to do so. If you are concerned about symptoms call the 24-hour HealthDirect helpline on 1800 022 222 or see your doctor. In a health emergency, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.

Steps to reduce risk from bushfire smoke

When it’s smoky, everyone should:

Follow your doctor’s advice about medicines and your asthma management plan if you have one. Keep your medication close at hand. Consult your doctor if symptoms worsen.
Reduce or avoid vigorous outdoor activity see activity guide below.
Spend more time indoors. Keep doors and windows shut to keep the smoke out. Open windows and doors whenever the smoke clears.
Spend time in air conditioned venues like cinemas, libraries and shopping centres.
Avoid indoor sources of air pollution like cigarettes, candles and incense sticks.

If your child has diagnosed asthma:

Have an up to date Asthma Action Plan. Seek review with your child’s GP to assess their current asthma management.
Check your child’s reliever medication and spacer is up-to-date and accessible by a responsible adult.
Provide written asthma first aid instructions, completed by your child’s GP, to their preschool, childcare centre or school.
Visit the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network’s Aiming for Asthma Improvement in Children website which includes a Good asthma control checklist.
Free asthma helpline: If you need information specific to people with asthma, visit the Asthma Australia website to access their free helpline.

Information for sensitive groups

Some people may be more sensitive to air pollution. Sensitive groups include people with lung disease or heart disease, children, older adults, pregnant women.

If you need information specific to people with asthma, visit the Asthma Australia website to access their free helpline.

Anyone with persistent symptoms should seek medical advice or call Health Direct Australia on 1800 022 222

Bushfire health advice

Bushfire smoke can affect people's health and it is important for everyone to reduce exposure.

Visit Health NSW - Bushfire to find out about:

protecting yourself from bushfire smoke
returning home safely
medications and prescriptions
support services
illness and injury from bushfire
information for child care centres and parents
advice for general practitioners

See Understanding Air Quality Data to learn about air quality information, what air quality categories are, how they are calculated and how you should use them to protect your health.

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Information

View the data licence statement for information about using and attributing these data.