About air quality monitoring
The Queensland monitoring network consists of 23 stations around the state containing approximately 90 instruments recording and storing weather and air pollutant data.
The department transfers the monitoring data from its stations to the air quality data screen throughout the day.
Data is down-loaded from the monitoring stations at regular intervals and stored on a central computer at the department. The data is transferred through switched telephone and mobile phone networks. The central computer calls each station to find out the latest air quality information and the station replies with the answer.
The collected data undergoes a preliminary check to ensure it is valid, for example, invalid data may arise from a departmental officer carrying out calibration or maintenance on an instrument, or as the result of an instrument operating incorrectly. Once the central computer has processed the information it is transferred to a database on the EPA's web server. The air quality index is calculated using the data in the database.
Visitors can view the air quality index on the department web site and request information for a particular day and time. The screen will show the selected weather and air pollution information.
A great thing about the index is that you can see the latest air quality data for the stations near you or you can look back and see how the air quality was yesterday, last month, or on your last birthday!
Last updated: 28 November 2003