The main causes of pollutants in Ballarat's air are domestic activities, contributing about 74 per cent to the air's carbon monoxide level, and transport, producing 25 per cent.

Less than one percent of carbon monoxide pollution derives from industry.

As part of the Federal Government's National Pollutant Inventory, nine major Ballarat industries, including Bendix Mintex, Amcor Packaging and Sunicrust Bakeries submitted data concerning their operations.

Substances that were listed included cyanide, arsenic, carbon monoxide and acetone.

EPA environmental strategies director Chris Bell said industry was not a major contributor to air pollution in Ballarat.

However, Mr Bell said that levels were similarly low around Australia, with industry rarely contributing more than five per cent of the air's pollution.

''The emissions from industry were predictably low for Ballarat, as in other rural centres,'' Mr Bell said.

''Only nine companies emitted significant pollutant levels to be required to provide data for the report,'' he said.

''Ballarat's problems lie more in the fine particles produced in daily domestic activities than in industry.''

However, he said Ballarat had a relatively low level of air pollution compared to Melbourne.

Mr Bell said Ballarat, because of its smaller population, also had less pollution than Geelong.

Ballarat also lacked industrial giants such as the Shell Oil refinery.

''Because of their population and scale of industry, Melbourne would have higher industrial pollution levels than Geelong, and Geelong would have higher levels than Ballarat,'' he said.

Mr Bell said geography was also a contributing factor to the type of pollutants in the air.

''Ballarat is affected by fine particles because it is in a mountainous area, and so the air cannot move as freely,'' he said.

Fine particles are largely emitted in fire, including through the use of open fireplaces and when people burn off on their properties.

In the next few months, a monitoring system will be installed at Ballarat to monitor its air quality and gain more conclusive data.

City of Ballarat environmental health manager Alex Serrurier said although he received occasional complaints about industry, they were usually localised, and promptly investigated.

''Every now and again we get complaints from residents about smells and particles coming from nearby factories,'' Mr Serrurier said.

''These days most companies are aware of the environmental impact of their operations, and most are cooperative, although some need more persuasion.''

''On the whole, our air is fairly clean in Ballarat,'' he said.