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Managing our Environment

Science behind our air quality

 

Otago Regional Council measures particulate matter (PM10) concentrations in the air. PM10 are solid or liquid particles that are smaller than 10 micrometres in diameter. They can be easily inhaled and as such, can contribute to and cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The groups of people most at risk are children and the elderly. Find out more about air quality and health in Otago.

Otago Regional Council measures particulate matter concentrations in the air

Image source: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The weather has an influence on the dispersion of particles. Many of Otago’s high pollution events occur on cold, calm winter days and nights. These are the days that communities should be extra careful when undertaking best practice burning techniques.

Air cools with altitude
Layers of warmer air

Image sources: Ministry for the Environment (MfE)

 

Read more about our science reports, and view our real-time monitoring data.

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