Timaru's air pollution levels are the worst in Australasia, new figures released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) show. Timaru's air pollution the worst in Australasia, figures revealWoodburners are major contributors to smog. Following the release of the updated WHO air quality database, Wright said an increasing reliance on heat pumps rather than woodburners would improve the country's air quality in the future. New Zealand's air quality (micrograms per cubic metre)ChristchurchPM10: 21PM2.5: 10DunedinPM10: 18PM2.5: 9WellingtonPM10: 10PM2.5: 5AucklandPM10: 14PM2.5: 6* An earlier version of this city said Timaru's air quality was the worst in Oceania. Timaru's annual mean levels of PM10 particles and PM2.5 particles were both above the air pollution level recommended as safe by the WHO.

Source: Stuff May 17, 2016 15:00 UTC