Recently released National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) data have shown that emissions of a range of common air pollutants dropped slightly in 2009–10.

 

The NPI data identified long-term trends showing that emissions of a range of common air pollutants  such as carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, sulfur dioxide and total volatile organic compounds have either decreased slowly or remained steady. National emissions of lead and its compounds have also continued to decrease.

 

The NPI, which is prepared by the Australian government in partnership with state and territory governments, includes data on 93 substances emitted into the environment from over 4200 industry and non-industry sources.

 

Data relating to substances including lead, mercury, fluoride, zinc and phosphorus is published through the database because of the possible health and environmental impacts of those substances.

 

This is the 12th year that the data has been available, allowing trends for individual companies and industry sectors to be tracked over time.

 

More information is at www.npi.gov.au