WHO recommendations for limits of PM2.5 concentrations are frequently exceeded in New Zealand

Posted 2 years ago by Patrick Hipgrave Less than a minute to read

We have just updated the 'Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) concentrations' factsheet.

New Zealand’s ability to monitor concentrations of fine particulate matter is limited by the number and distribution of PM_2.5 monitoring stations, particularly in the South Island.

Despite this, we can see that:

In 2020, 22 out of 25 stations exceeded the 2021 WHO guideline for annual average PM_2.5 concentrations on multiple occasions in 2020.
In 2020, 21 of 25 stations recorded at least one exceedance of the 2021 WHO guideline for daily average PM_2.5concentrations.
Between 2007 and 2020, over 90% of all exceedances of the daily average guideline occurred in colder months of autumn and winter, coinciding with periods when home heaters are most used.

View the interactive factsheet to learn more: https://reports.instantatlas.com/view-report/0905cf8c78c649a9b987eee8857c977d/NZ