File photoNew monitoring for fine airborne particles that cause cardiovascular and respiratory disease and cancers has revealed four possible trouble spots in Otago. In a report to the Otago Regional Council’s data and information committee today, council air quality scientist Sarah Harrison said to prepare for new national air quality standards the council trialled low-cost sensors for air quality monitoring that were able to monitor particulate matter in the air only two and a-half microns or less in width (PM2.5). However, in 2019, 99% of the world’s population was living in places where WHO air quality levels were not met, it said. Ambient outdoor air pollution in both cities and rural areas was estimated to cause 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2016. Windy weather could also prevent pollution from accumulating, Ms Harrison said.

Source: Otago Daily Times September 14, 2022 04:12 UTC