Particulate Matter (PM10)

Particulate matter (PM₁₀) is a collective term used to describe very small solid or liquid particles in the air, such as dust, fumes, smoke and fog.

PM₁₀ originates from both natural (wind blown dust, forest fires or pollen) and manmade sources (including automobile exhausts, solid fuel burning and industrial emissions). In Whangarei, the main source of PM₁₀ in winter is solid fuel burning for home heating.

Smoke has high levels of PM₁₀, which is easily inhaled and can harm people's health. People most susceptible to the effects of inhaling PM₁₀ include the elderly, those with existing lung problems, weak hearts or infections such as pneumonia, and children.

PM₁₀ was sampled at two locations in Northland during 2008-09; Water Street and Robert Street in central Whangarei. The results collected are compared to the National Environmental Standard (NES) for PM₁₀, which is not exceeding the limit of 50 micrograms per cubic metre more than once in a twelve month period.

Water Street, Whangarei

Monitoring results from 2008-09 for Water Street indicated that levels of PM₁₀ in the air did not exceed the NES on any occasion. This can be seen in the graph below.

PM₁₀ levels were slightly higher on a number of occasions in winter due to cool, calm conditions that allowed air pollution from domestic fires to build up.

Robert Street, Whangarei

Monitoring results from 2008-09 for Robert Street (Whangarei) indicated that levels of PM₁₀ in the air did not exceed the NES on any occasion. However, PM₁₀ levels were again higher on several occasions in winter due to cool, calm conditions that allowed air pollution from domestic fires to build up.