In Sydney, air quality has met the national daily standard for PM2.5 particles on all but 14 days in 2017. Levels rose above the PM10 daily standard on nine days. This is an increase of six and two days respectively compared to 2016.
This increase can be largely attributed to widespread hazard reduction burning during August undertaken to reduce the bushfire risk in NSW and widespread dust in September following a very dry winter period.
This air quality statement for 2017 is based on data collected by the Office of Environment and Heritage at its monitoring networks across the state and includes a particular focus on air quality in the Hunter Valley.