Capital city in Santiago Metropolitan, Chile
Air quality in Santiago
Polluted
The annual average PM2.5 in Santiago was 25 µg/m³ in 2019, about 5.0 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. Cold-season smog from wood heating and traffic is trapped by the Andes; alerts are common in Jun–Aug.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 25 µg/m³ yearly average (2019). Measured at Santiago.
- PM10: 72 µg/m³ (2019).
- Nitrogen dioxide: 44 µg/m³ (2019), mostly from traffic.
- Worst months: May–Aug.
- Recent average: 28.7 µg/m³ over the last five years of measurements.
PM2.5 by year
| Year | Annual average |
|---|---|
| 2019 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2015 | |
| 2014 | |
| 2013 |
Air quality across Chile
| Place | PM2.5 | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Punta Arenas | 5 µg/m³ | Meets the WHO guideline |
| Valparaíso | 13.7 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Viña del Mar | 14 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| La Serena | 14 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Santiago | 25 µg/m³ | Polluted |
| Puerto Varas | 27 µg/m³ | Very polluted |
Quick answers
Is the air in Santiago bad?
Polluted: 25 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 5.0× the WHO guideline. It's usually worst in May–Aug.
When is the air worst in Santiago?
Cold-season smog from wood heating and traffic is trapped by the Andes; alerts are common in Jun–Aug.
How does Santiago compare with the rest of Chile?
People in Chile breathe 23 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 25 µg/m³ measured here.
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- Metro de Santiago
- Aeropuerto de Santiago
- Clínica Alemana
- Servicio Nacional de Turismo (Sernatur)
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 Spotted something out of date?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.