• Augmenting Air Quality Monitoring Networks

Good air quality is central to human health and the health of our environment. New Zealand has relatively good air quality, however, at certain times of the year, some areas have undesirable levels of air pollution. This topic presents the results of regional air quality monitoring, why it is important, and tips for how we can help improve the quality of the air we breathe. The most recent data shown on the LAWA map may not have been validated by the councils collecting these data. Please interpret these data with care and check with the responsible regional council or unitary authority if you have questions. Air quality data on LAWA are reported on using New Zealand’s National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NES-AQ),

World Health Organization Guidelines 2005 and New Zealand Ambient Air Quality Guidelines 2002. Amendments to the NES-AQ, which inform reporting requirements are pending. Breathing good quality air is fundamental to our well-being. The health effects of polluted air are wide-ranging and mainly affect the elderly, young people, and vulnerable groups. Good air quality is also important for ecosystem health. PM10 is the most commonly monitored air quality indicator. It tells us about the particulate matter in the air from both the coarser size particles (ranging from 2.5 – 10 µm in size) through to the smaller fine particles (PM2.5, with a diameter of 2.5 µm or less). PM2.5 are generated by combustion (e.g. burning wood, coal, petrol or diesel) and are more harmful to our health.