NSW has taken another step in the battle against climate change by tightening rules against pollutants and fuels that emit toxins.
Environmental Protection Agency CEO Tony Chappel says NSW has tightened air emission standards with the launch of the new Protection of the Environment Operations (Clean Air) Regulation 2022.
"These regulatory changes have been designed to better target harmful air pollutants and support NSW in transitioning to a low-carbon economy while also reducing health risks that cost the greater metropolitan region around $6.4 billion each year," Mr Chappel said.
A key concern in tackling air pollution is the presence of airborne particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometres in diameter (PM2.5).
These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and cross into the bloodstream. They originate mainly from combustion products such as coal-fired power, road vehicles, biomass burning, industry and bushfires.
Mr Chappel lauded industries that were decarbonising but noted some power stations have not been able to progress as quickly due to the limited availability of cost-effective technologies.
Improvements to regulations focus on applying tighter air emission standards for ageing plants and equipment, stricter limits and controls on volatile organic liquids in storage tanks and requiring cleaner and lower volatility petrol to be used.
The Australian Conservation Foundation this year ranked Muswellbrook in the Hunter region as the third worst postcode in the country with polluted air, behind Mt Isa in Queensland and Newman in Western Australia.
