City in New South Wales, Australia
Air quality in Newcastle
Moderate
The annual average PM2.5 in Newcastle was 11 µg/m³ in 2019, about 2.2 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. Bushfire smoke or coal dust can affect air quality occasionally.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 11 µg/m³ yearly average (2019). Measured at Newcastle.
- PM10: 26 µg/m³ (2019).
- Nitrogen dioxide: 16 µg/m³ (2019), mostly from traffic.
- Recent average: 9 µg/m³ over the last five years of measurements.
PM2.5 by year
| Year | Annual average |
|---|---|
| 2019 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2015 | |
| 2014 | |
| 2013 |
Air quality across Australia
| Place | PM2.5 | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Hobart | 4.9 µg/m³ | Meets the WHO guideline |
| Sunshine Coast | 5.5 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Gold Coast | 5.6 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Magnetic Island | 5.6 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Cairns | 5.8 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Fremantle | 5.9 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Adelaide | 6 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Launceston | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Perth | 7 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Melbourne | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Brisbane | 8 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Darwin | 9 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Sydney | 11 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Newcastle | 11 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Canberra | 14 µg/m³ | Moderate |
Quick answers
Is the air in Newcastle bad?
Moderate: 11 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 2.2× the WHO guideline.
When is the air worst in Newcastle?
Bushfire smoke or coal dust can affect air quality occasionally.
How does Newcastle compare with the rest of Australia?
People in Australia breathe 6 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 11 µg/m³ measured here.
More about Newcastle
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- Transport for NSW
- Newcastle Airport
- Hunter New England Health
Annual averages are measured values reported to the WHO; check a live map for today's air. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.