Australia needs a National Clean Air Strategy
Summary
All Australians should be able to breathe clean, safe air. But right now the health impacts of air pollution are increasing. Australians are exposed to more smoke from larger bushfires, more pollen from extended pollen seasons, and more biological hazards from worsening flood events and heavier rain. Our homes and public buildings are not designed to protect against mould proliferation, the spread of airborne infections, indoor pollutants like combustion emissions, or the infiltration of outdoor pollutants. These challenges come at significant cost to our health and wellbeing. Currently, outdoor air pollution is linked to approximately 3,200 premature deaths every year, costing Australia more than $6.2billion annually. In 2001, indoor air pollution in Australia was estimated to cost $12 billion per year, a figure that has only grown with new airborne respiratory viruses such as COVID-19.Air hazards impact every organ system in the body, increasing rates of cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases, diabetes, obesity, and reproductive, neurological, and immune system disorders. Much of this impact is avoidable and even small improvements in air quality have substantial health benefits. Clean air is too important for government responsibility to remain fragmented across health and environment agencies and across different levels of government. Australia needs national leadership and investment to ensure effective and coordinated action is taken to secure cleaner air for all communities.
Format
Tags
Category
Open letter, Position statement
Published
2025
