City in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Air quality in Durban
17PM2.5 µg/m³, yearly
Polluted
The annual average PM2.5 in Durban was 17 µg/m³ in 2021, about 3.4 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 17 µg/m³ yearly average (2021). Measured at Ethekwini.
- PM10: 39 µg/m³ (2021).
- Nitrogen dioxide: 12 µg/m³ (2021), mostly from traffic.
- Recent average: 20.2 µg/m³ over the last five years of measurements.
PM2.5 by year
| Year | Annual average |
|---|---|
| 2021 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2015 |
Air quality across South Africa
| Place | PM2.5 | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Port Elizabeth | 14 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Durban | 17 µg/m³ | Polluted |
| Johannesburg | 22.7 µg/m³ | Polluted |
Quick answers
Is the air in Durban bad?
Polluted: 17 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 3.4× the WHO guideline.
How does Durban compare with the rest of South Africa?
People in South Africa breathe 28 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 17 µg/m³ measured here.
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- Airports Company South Africa
- eThekwini Municipality
- Durban Tourism
Annual averages are measured values reported to the WHO; check a live map for today's air. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.