Abstract
Particulate matter less than or equal to 10 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10 µg/m3) is a priority air pollutant and one of the most widely monitored ambient air pollutants in South Africa. This study analyzed PM10 from monitoring 44 sites across four provinces of South Africa (Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal) and aimed to present spatial and temporal variation in the PM10 concentration across the provinces. In addition, potential influencing factors of PM10 variations around the three site categories (Residential, Industrial and Traffic) were explored. The spatial trend in daily PM10 concentration variation shows PM10 concentration can be 5.7 times higher than the revised 2021 World Health Organization annual PM10 air quality guideline of 15 µg/m3 in Gauteng province during the winter season. Temporally, the highest weekly PM10 concentrations of 51.4 µg/m3, 46.8 µg/m3, 29.1 µg/m3 and 25.1 µg/m3 at Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape Province were recorded during the weekdays. The study results suggest a decrease in the change of annual PM10 levels at sites in Gauteng and Mpumalanga Provinces. An increased change in annual PM10 levels was reported at most sites in Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
Highlights
Accepted: 14 December 2021The levels of air pollution in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have remained high compared to other regions of the world that have witnessed notable improvements [1]
This study suggests that there is a difference between PM10 levels between weekends and weekdays, with lower PM10 levels reported during the weekends
It has been over a decade since the promulgation of South Africa’s National Environmental Management Air Quality Act in 2004
Summary
The levels of air pollution in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have remained high compared to other regions of the world that have witnessed notable improvements [1]. The deteriorating trend of air quality in SSA countries, such as South Africa, has been linked to rapid urbanization, industrialization and the resultant increase in population. Other important sources of air pollution emission in South. Particulate matter less than or equal to 10 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM10 μg/m3 ) is one of the most important pollutants of public health interest that is monitored in South Africa [5]. The revised 2015 National Air Quality standard of daily limit of 75 μg/m3 and annual limit of 40 μg/m3 are less stringent than the World’s
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