Air pollution threatens the health of 217 thousand people across 4 districts in Otago. The average PM2.5 level is 3.4 Āµg/mĀ³, within the WHO guideline of 5 Āµg/mĀ³.
Brought to you by Amrit Sharma
Otago faces significant air pollution challenges. 0% of districts exceed the WHO guideline for clean air. This is putting 217 thousand across 4 districts at risk.
The average PM2.5 over 2023 was 3.4Āµg/mĀ³. That's 0.7 times the WHO guideline for clean air of 5Āµg/mĀ³.
This is equivalent of everybody, including children, smoking about 56 cigarettes in a year.
If Otago met the WHO guideline of 5 Āµg/mĀ³, the average person would live 0 years longer.
That's 0 years of life stolen from 217 thousand people. Years of watching children grow up. Years of building a career. Years of quiet mornings and celebrations.
Lives cut short. Breathing kills.
The top 4 most polluted districts in Otago. These areas face the greatest health burden from air pollution.
Distribution of population across different PM2.5 pollution levels. The WHO guideline is 5 Āµg/mĀ³āonly populations below this threshold are breathing safe air.
Complete air quality data for every district in Otago, sorted by population.
| District | Population | PM2.5 Āµg/mĀ³ | Years Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunedin | 132K | 3.6 | 0.0 years |
| Queenstown-Lakes | 43K | 3.1 | 0.0 years |
| Central Otago | 23K | 3.2 | 0.0 years |
| Clutha | 19K | 3.1 | 0.0 years |
Showing 4 districts, sorted by population (largest first). PM2.5 values are for 2023. Years lost calculated against WHO guideline of 5 Āµg/mĀ³.