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Air Quality

Air quality in Marlborough is generally good but Blenheim has an air quality problem during winter, most of it due to home heating. All current monitored towns are shown.

Marlborough’s air story

Air quality in Marlborough is generally good. The main source of air pollution in Marlborough towns is smoke from home heating. Other sources of contaminants may include industry, traffic and rural burning, as well as natural sources (sea salt, dust and pollen). Blenheim has an air quality problem during winter with the main source at this time due to home heating. During the winter our cold, still, frosty days mean the smoke from home heating isn’t blown away and gets trapped until the air warms up or the wind picks up.

The particulates from smoke (and from sea salt, dust and cars) are known as PM10 and these tiny particles can get deep in to our lungs and cause health issues for some people. During winter in Blenheim, daily average PM10 concentrations can exceed national guidelines. The National Environmental Standards require no more than one day per year in Blenheim when PM10 is greater than 50 µg/m3, from 1 September 2016.

You can find information for all current monitored towns below and see how they compare from year to year, and against the national guidelines. Marlborough District Council monitor air quality in Blenheim at one site in Redwoodtown, but has historically undertaken monitoring in other suburbs to understand air pollution across Blenheim. Trend data on PM10 for Blenheim has shown no measurable decline or improvement in air quality.

We all have a role to play in achieving cleaner, healthier air to breathe. Marlborough District Council continues to work with the community to improve air quality and meet national health-based guidelines.

Regional Summary
PM10and PM2.5at towns in this region

The most significant air pollutant in New Zealand are small airborne particles in our air (known as particulate matter). Particulate pollutants are of most concern in New Zealand because of their high concentrations in some of our towns. Exposure to high levels of airborne particle pollutants has the potential to cause respiratory and cardiovascular issues. View a factsheet on why air quality is important here.

Particulate Matter (PM) are of concern in Marlborough towns. Exposure to these pollutants can have short and long term health effects. We report annual PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations and trends each year.

 

 

 

PM monitoring history at towns in this region

  • Annual average
  • Highest daily average
  • Exceedance
Showing:
PM10

What is this showing me?

The graph enables you to view the annual average and highest daily average concentrations of PM10 and number of exceedance days for the year selected. The results are compared to the relevant air quality standard or guideline (denoted by the red horizontal line). See this factsheet for more information about the PM10 measurements, and the standards and guidelines used to report on. 

Values above the standard or guideline shown can be a cause for concern as short- or long-term exposure to high PM10 can have health impacts.  See this factsheet about why air quality is important and factors that influence air quality. 

The trends in the table below indicate whether the PM10 concentrations have been improving, showing no measurable change, or declining over the 10-years prior to the year selected. (For towns that have more than one monitoring site, a representative site is shown).

Data table PM10
Towns 10-year Trend annual average (µg/m³) Highest daily average (µg/m³) 2nd highest daily average (µg/m³) Number of exceedances
PM2.5

What is this showing me?

The graph enables you to view the annual average and highest daily average concentrations of PM2.5 and number of exceedance days for the year selected. The results are compared to the World Health Organization guidelines (denoted by the red horizontal line). See this factsheet for more information about the PM2.5 measurements, and the standards and guidelines used to report on. 

Values above the guidelines can be a cause for concern as short- and long-term exposure to high PM2.5 values can have health impacts.  See this factsheet about why air quality is important and factors that influence air quality. 

Any trends in the table below indicate whether the PM2.5 concentrations have been improving, showing no measurable change, or declining over the 10-years prior to the year selected. (For towns that have more than one monitoring site, a representative site is shown).

Data table PM2.5
Towns 10-year Trend annual average (µg/m³) Highest daily average (µg/m³) 2nd highest daily average (µg/m³) Number of exceedances
Towns 1

Towns in the Marlborough region

Select the town you'd like to see information on by clicking the buttons below or navigate using the map.

Blenheim
Blenheim

1 Site