Worst air pollution Balmain - Sydney, today and tomorrow
Today (4 August): Air quality in Balmain is good. AQI, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3, SO2, CO, HCHO, and PM1 are good. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (O3: 17.1/100).
Tomorrow (5 August 2026): Air quality in Balmain is good. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 16.1/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app
Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team
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Balmain occupies a harbourside peninsula in Sydney's inner west, and this exposure to Harbour breezes generally helps ventilate the suburb well despite its dense, narrow streets and steady local traffic. Its industrial past, including former shipyards and timber yards, has largely given way to residential and cafe use, removing what was once a more significant emissions source. Bushfire smoke is a periodic summer concern from surrounding bushland further out. Overall, background air quality here is good for an inner-city area.
Today - 4 August | Pollution peaks at 15:00
AQI:
Good
17.1/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
5.5/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
1.5/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
0/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
17.1/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
5.0/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
8.0/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 5 August | Pollution peaks at 14:00
AQI:
Good
16.1/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Good
5.4/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
1.5/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Good
0/100
O3 (ozone):
Good
16.1/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Good
0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
3.4/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Good
7.5/100
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Balmain right now?
On 4 August 2026, overall air quality in Balmain is good. AQI is the main air quality indicator at 17.1/100. Pollution peaks around 3:00 PM (O3: 17.1/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Balmain?
On 5 August 2026, air quality conditions in Balmain will be similar to today, with AQI forecast at good at 16.1/100. Pollution peaks around 2:00 PM (O3: 16.1/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Balmain?
Balmain's peninsula setting means harbour breezes usually clear the air quickly, but summer bushfire smoke (December–March) can settle in on hot, still days when winds come from the west. Expect the odd smoky afternoon during fire season rather than a persistent problem, with air quality otherwise among the better in inner Sydney.
Are air quality levels in Balmain based on measurements or forecasts?
It is forecasts derived by downscaling forecasts provided by EU’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) by taking into account local conditions such as traffic patterns. CAMS bases its forecast on satellite measurements of particles and chemical compounds in the atmosphere. Airmine’s services were developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team.
Why doesn’t the forecast always reflect wildfire impacts?
Airmine’s forecast uses CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service) as its background atmospheric model. While CAMS includes wildfire emissions, these are derived from satellite observations and are not available in real time. During rapidly evolving wildfire events, there may therefore be a delay before increased emissions are incorporated into the model. As a result, the forecast may temporarily underestimate PM₂.₅ and other pollutants associated with wildfire smoke.
During rapidly evolving wildfire events, CAMS may lag by approximately 1–2 days before increased wildfire emissions are fully represented, which can lead to temporary underestimation of PM₂.₅ concentrations in Airmine’s forecast.
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Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 4 August 2026 at 16:38 CEST (Data is updated four times daily.)
This forecast is produced independently using Airmine's own atmospheric data and models.
Unless explicitly made clear, the content on this site has not been paid for by external organisations and is Airmine's sole responsibility.
Disclaimer: Forecasts are provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. Actual pollen and air quality conditions may vary from the forecast. If you have allergies, asthma, or another medical condition, consult a healthcare professional. Please see our Terms of Service for important information about limitations of liability.
For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app