Hendrina’s air quality among the worst in South Africa this morning
This follows recent poor air quality measurements in the area, with Middelburg recently scoring 153 on the US AQI.
According to IQ Air, the Swiss air quality technology company, Hendrina experienced extremely unhealthy levels of air quality this morning, with a PM2.5 concentration two times higher than the World Health Organisation’s annual air quality guideline value.
The European Environment Agency defines PM2.5 as ‘the air pollutant driving the most significant health problems and premature mortality’.
Scoring a high of 177 between 08:00–09:00 on the US Air Quality Index (AQI), Hendrina’s air was unhealthy for the general public for at least two hours this morning, with the air having posed serious health risks to sensitive groups.
Sensitive groups are listed as people with heart and lung disease, older adults (older than 65), children (under 14), people with diabetes, and people of low socioeconomic status.
This AQI score of 177, captured at a station in Kwazamokuhle, Hendrina, comes dangerously close to being very unhealthy for everyone in the area.
If an AQI count of over 200 is measured, it is recommended that a health alert be issued.
Hendrina also measured an unhealthy score of 157 on Saturday evening, between the hours of 19:00–20:00.
IQ Air has listed the following health recommendations for sensitive groups in Hendrina:
• Reduce outdoor exercise
• Wear a mask outdoors
• Close windows to avoid unhealthy outdoor air
• Run an air purifier
This follows recent poor air quality measurements in the area, with Middelburg recently scoring 153 on the US AQI.
ALSO READ: Air quality on Wednesday night among the worst in the world
• IQ Air’s real-time ranking of polluted cities in South Africa indicates that Hendrina’s air has improved as the day has progressed, with a current rating of 52.
This score is still considered unhealthy for sensitive groups that have prolonged exposure outdoors.
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