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Air where you are

Nitrogen dioxide and ozone near the ground, and nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide in the air above, for every municipality, district and province, month by month since 2003. Modelled by the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service. Newest whole year: 2025.

What it coversCovers all 213 municipalities: the whole country.Green: places with records. Worked out from release 2026-11-12. Boundaries: Municipal Demarcation Board, 2026 boundaries. The dataset

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) comes mostly from burning: power stations, vehicles, industry. Near the ground is what people breathe. The column is all of it in the air above, from the ground to the top of the sky, which is what a satellite sees. Sulphur dioxide (SO2) comes mostly from burning coal. Ozone forms in sunlight from other pollutants.

Modelled, not measured: these figures come from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service’s reanalysis, a weather and chemistry model that takes in satellite readings. Its cells are about 80 km across, so a busy road or a smoky winter evening in one suburb is smoothed into the region around it. It is not a reading at any address.

Every municipality, 2025

Ranked by nitrogen dioxide near the ground, the year’s mean (modelled). 70 of 213 are above WHO’s yearly guideline of 10 µg/m³.

#	Municipality	Province	NO2 near the ground	× WHO guideline	NO2 column	SO2 column
1	Govan Mbeki	Mpumalanga	41 µg/m³	4.1	263 µmol/m²	417 µmol/m²
2	Rand West City	Gauteng	40 µg/m³	4.0	173 µmol/m²	200 µmol/m²
3	City of Johannesburg	Gauteng	40 µg/m³	4.0	173 µmol/m²	199 µmol/m²
4	Emfuleni	Gauteng	39 µg/m³	3.9	180 µmol/m²	218 µmol/m²
5	Victor Khanye	Mpumalanga	39 µg/m³	3.9	202 µmol/m²	254 µmol/m²
6	Mogale City	Gauteng	39 µg/m³	3.9	168 µmol/m²	191 µmol/m²
7	Ekurhuleni	Gauteng	38 µg/m³	3.8	176 µmol/m²	186 µmol/m²
8	Lesedi	Gauteng	37 µg/m³	3.7	174 µmol/m²	183 µmol/m²
9	Emalahleni	Mpumalanga	36 µg/m³	3.6	231 µmol/m²	359 µmol/m²
10	Lekwa	Mpumalanga	35 µg/m³	3.5	201 µmol/m²	282 µmol/m²
11	Midvaal	Gauteng	33 µg/m³	3.3	161 µmol/m²	180 µmol/m²
12	Merafong City	Gauteng	32 µg/m³	3.2	140 µmol/m²	153 µmol/m²
13	Ngwathe	Free State	30 µg/m³	3.0	151 µmol/m²	181 µmol/m²
14	City of Tshwane	Gauteng	29 µg/m³	2.9	129 µmol/m²	127 µmol/m²
15	Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme	Mpumalanga	29 µg/m³	2.9	170 µmol/m²	231 µmol/m²
16	Metsimaholo	Free State	27 µg/m³	2.7	144 µmol/m²	167 µmol/m²
17	Dipaleseng	Mpumalanga	26 µg/m³	2.6	143 µmol/m²	151 µmol/m²
18	Local Municipality of Madibeng	North West	25 µg/m³	2.5	110 µmol/m²	103 µmol/m²
19	Steve Tshwete	Mpumalanga	23 µg/m³	2.3	150 µmol/m²	206 µmol/m²
20	Moretele	North West	23 µg/m³	2.3	102 µmol/m²	97 µmol/m²
21	Mkhambathini	KwaZulu-Natal	22 µg/m³	2.2	113 µmol/m²	98 µmol/m²
22	eThekwini	KwaZulu-Natal	22 µg/m³	2.2	113 µmol/m²	98 µmol/m²
23	Msukaligwa	Mpumalanga	22 µg/m³	2.2	147 µmol/m²	198 µmol/m²
24	Thembisile Hani	Mpumalanga	22 µg/m³	2.2	113 µmol/m²	117 µmol/m²
25	Newcastle	KwaZulu-Natal	21 µg/m³	2.1	130 µmol/m²	151 µmol/m²
26	Umdoni	KwaZulu-Natal	21 µg/m³	2.1	110 µmol/m²	96 µmol/m²
27	Rustenburg	North West	21 µg/m³	2.1	96 µmol/m²	92 µmol/m²
28	Mafube	Free State	20 µg/m³	2.0	124 µmol/m²	131 µmol/m²
29	JB Marks	North West	20 µg/m³	2.0	99 µmol/m²	96 µmol/m²
30	Dannhauser	KwaZulu-Natal	19 µg/m³	1.9	123 µmol/m²	139 µmol/m²
31	Bela-Bela	Limpopo	19 µg/m³	1.9	87 µmol/m²	81 µmol/m²
32	Mohokare	Free State	19 µg/m³	1.9	90 µmol/m²	96 µmol/m²
33	Dr JS Moroka	Mpumalanga	18 µg/m³	1.8	91 µmol/m²	86 µmol/m²
34	Senqu	Eastern Cape	18 µg/m³	1.8	92 µmol/m²	102 µmol/m²
35	Phumelela	Free State	17 µg/m³	1.7	111 µmol/m²	125 µmol/m²
36	Emadlangeni	KwaZulu-Natal	17 µg/m³	1.7	116 µmol/m²	132 µmol/m²
37	Richmond	KwaZulu-Natal	16 µg/m³	1.6	88 µmol/m²	72 µmol/m²
38	Moqhaka	Free State	15 µg/m³	1.5	93 µmol/m²	88 µmol/m²
39	Kgetlengrivier	North West	15 µg/m³	1.5	77 µmol/m²	72 µmol/m²
40	Chief Albert Luthuli	Mpumalanga	15 µg/m³	1.5	116 µmol/m²	148 µmol/m²
41	City of Matlosana	North West	15 µg/m³	1.5	82 µmol/m²	82 µmol/m²
42	The Msunduzi	KwaZulu-Natal	14 µg/m³	1.4	84 µmol/m²	68 µmol/m²
43	Ndwedwe	KwaZulu-Natal	14 µg/m³	1.4	88 µmol/m²	73 µmol/m²
44	Modimolle-Mookgophong	Limpopo	14 µg/m³	1.4	71 µmol/m²	69 µmol/m²
45	Maquassi Hills	North West	14 µg/m³	1.4	77 µmol/m²	81 µmol/m²
46	uMshwathi	KwaZulu-Natal	14 µg/m³	1.4	87 µmol/m²	71 µmol/m²
47	Mamusa	North West	14 µg/m³	1.4	69 µmol/m²	75 µmol/m²
48	Lephalale	Limpopo	14 µg/m³	1.4	72 µmol/m²	88 µmol/m²
49	Mkhondo	Mpumalanga	14 µg/m³	1.4	118 µmol/m²	141 µmol/m²
50	Umvoti	KwaZulu-Natal	14 µg/m³	1.4	86 µmol/m²	72 µmol/m²
51	Mangaung	Free State	14 µg/m³	1.4	70 µmol/m²	68 µmol/m²
52	Johannes Phumani Phungula	KwaZulu-Natal	13 µg/m³	1.3	78 µmol/m²	62 µmol/m²
53	Thabazimbi	Limpopo	13 µg/m³	1.3	71 µmol/m²	77 µmol/m²
54	Maphumulo	KwaZulu-Natal	13 µg/m³	1.3	84 µmol/m²	72 µmol/m²
55	Elias Motsoaledi	Limpopo	13 µg/m³	1.3	83 µmol/m²	88 µmol/m²
56	Nala	Free State	12 µg/m³	1.2	77 µmol/m²	75 µmol/m²
57	Moses Kotane	North West	12 µg/m³	1.2	69 µmol/m²	68 µmol/m²
58	Matjhabeng	Free State	12 µg/m³	1.2	75 µmol/m²	69 µmol/m²
59	Mantsopa	Free State	11 µg/m³	1.1	64 µmol/m²	59 µmol/m²
60	Lekwa-Teemane	North West	11 µg/m³	1.1	66 µmol/m²	65 µmol/m²
61	Tswaing	North West	11 µg/m³	1.1	64 µmol/m²	66 µmol/m²
62	Nketoana	Free State	11 µg/m³	1.1	80 µmol/m²	74 µmol/m²
63	Endumeni	KwaZulu-Natal	11 µg/m³	1.1	92 µmol/m²	91 µmol/m²
64	Mogalakwena	Limpopo	11 µg/m³	1.1	59 µmol/m²	60 µmol/m²
65	Stellenbosch	Western Cape	11 µg/m³	1.1	48 µmol/m²	19 µmol/m²
66	eDumbe	KwaZulu-Natal	11 µg/m³	1.1	98 µmol/m²	108 µmol/m²
67	Ephraim Mogale	Limpopo	11 µg/m³	1.1	66 µmol/m²	61 µmol/m²
68	City of Cape Town	Western Cape	11 µg/m³	1.1	46 µmol/m²	18 µmol/m²
69	Drakenstein	Western Cape	11 µg/m³	1.1	47 µmol/m²	18 µmol/m²
70	Tswelopele	Free State	11 µg/m³	1.1	67 µmol/m²	65 µmol/m²
71	Walter Sisulu	Eastern Cape	10 µg/m³	1.0	65 µmol/m²	57 µmol/m²
72	uMngeni	KwaZulu-Natal	10 µg/m³	1.0	70 µmol/m²	52 µmol/m²
73	Mpofana	KwaZulu-Natal	9.7 µg/m³	1.0	69 µmol/m²	50 µmol/m²
74	Masilonyana	Free State	9.4 µg/m³	0.9	63 µmol/m²	56 µmol/m²
75	Umzimkhulu	KwaZulu-Natal	9.4 µg/m³	0.9	65 µmol/m²	52 µmol/m²
76	Umzumbe	KwaZulu-Natal	9.3 µg/m³	0.9	72 µmol/m²	64 µmol/m²
77	Impendle	KwaZulu-Natal	8.9 µg/m³	0.9	63 µmol/m²	46 µmol/m²
78	Alfred Duma	KwaZulu-Natal	8.9 µg/m³	0.9	80 µmol/m²	70 µmol/m²
79	uMuziwabantu	KwaZulu-Natal	8.7 µg/m³	0.9	67 µmol/m²	59 µmol/m²
80	Msinga	KwaZulu-Natal	8.7 µg/m³	0.9	78 µmol/m²	73 µmol/m²
81	Makhuduthamaga	Limpopo	8.7 µg/m³	0.9	60 µmol/m²	57 µmol/m²
82	Ray Nkonyeni	KwaZulu-Natal	8.6 µg/m³	0.9	68 µmol/m²	61 µmol/m²
83	Emakhazeni	Mpumalanga	8.6 µg/m³	0.9	70 µmol/m²	75 µmol/m²
84	Setsoto	Free State	8.5 µg/m³	0.9	60 µmol/m²	52 µmol/m²
85	Inkosi Langalibalele	KwaZulu-Natal	8.5 µg/m³	0.9	67 µmol/m²	52 µmol/m²
86	Nqutu	KwaZulu-Natal	8.5 µg/m³	0.9	78 µmol/m²	75 µmol/m²
87	Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma	KwaZulu-Natal	8.4 µg/m³	0.8	60 µmol/m²	44 µmol/m²
88	Abaqulusi	KwaZulu-Natal	8.3 µg/m³	0.8	86 µmol/m²	95 µmol/m²
89	Ditsobotla	North West	8.3 µg/m³	0.8	58 µmol/m²	52 µmol/m²
90	Swartland	Western Cape	8.3 µg/m³	0.8	45 µmol/m²	17 µmol/m²
91	Winnie Madikizela-Mandela	Eastern Cape	8.0 µg/m³	0.8	65 µmol/m²	57 µmol/m²
92	Emalahleni	Eastern Cape	7.9 µg/m³	0.8	62 µmol/m²	51 µmol/m²
93	Maluti a Phofung	Free State	7.9 µg/m³	0.8	61 µmol/m²	51 µmol/m²
94	Lepele-Nkumpi	Limpopo	7.9 µg/m³	0.8	52 µmol/m²	46 µmol/m²
95	Sakhisizwe	Eastern Cape	7.8 µg/m³	0.8	64 µmol/m²	56 µmol/m²
96	Nkandla	KwaZulu-Natal	7.8 µg/m³	0.8	75 µmol/m²	73 µmol/m²
97	Thaba Chweu	Mpumalanga	7.7 µg/m³	0.8	60 µmol/m²	60 µmol/m²
98	Dihlabeng	Free State	7.6 µg/m³	0.8	55 µmol/m²	45 µmol/m²
99	Fetakgomo Tubatse	Limpopo	7.6 µg/m³	0.8	55 µmol/m²	52 µmol/m²
100	Polokwane	Limpopo	7.5 µg/m³	0.8	49 µmol/m²	41 µmol/m²
101	Dr AB Xuma	Eastern Cape	7.4 µg/m³	0.7	63 µmol/m²	55 µmol/m²
102	Breede Valley	Western Cape	7.4 µg/m³	0.7	43 µmol/m²	14 µmol/m²
103	Elundini	Eastern Cape	7.2 µg/m³	0.7	62 µmol/m²	61 µmol/m²
104	City of Mbombela	Mpumalanga	7.2 µg/m³	0.7	62 µmol/m²	65 µmol/m²
105	Tokologo	Free State	7.1 µg/m³	0.7	56 µmol/m²	49 µmol/m²
106	Nelson Mandela Bay	Eastern Cape	7.0 µg/m³	0.7	43 µmol/m²	22 µmol/m²
107	Intsika Yethu	Eastern Cape	6.8 µg/m³	0.7	58 µmol/m²	45 µmol/m²
108	Kumkani Mhlontlo	Eastern Cape	6.6 µg/m³	0.7	61 µmol/m²	56 µmol/m²
109	Theewaterskloof	Western Cape	6.6 µg/m³	0.7	40 µmol/m²	13 µmol/m²
110	King Sabata Dalindyebo	Eastern Cape	6.5 µg/m³	0.7	61 µmol/m²	53 µmol/m²
111	Phokwane	Northern Cape	6.5 µg/m³	0.7	49 µmol/m²	37 µmol/m²
112	Naledi	North West	6.5 µg/m³	0.7	49 µmol/m²	41 µmol/m²
113	Okhahlamba	KwaZulu-Natal	6.4 µg/m³	0.6	56 µmol/m²	42 µmol/m²
114	Ulundi	KwaZulu-Natal	6.4 µg/m³	0.6	73 µmol/m²	78 µmol/m²
115	Magareng	Northern Cape	6.4 µg/m³	0.6	48 µmol/m²	36 µmol/m²
116	Bergrivier	Western Cape	6.4 µg/m³	0.6	44 µmol/m²	15 µmol/m²
117	Mnquma	Eastern Cape	6.3 µg/m³	0.6	57 µmol/m²	44 µmol/m²
118	Greater Tzaneen	Limpopo	6.2 µg/m³	0.6	48 µmol/m²	40 µmol/m²
119	Langeberg	Western Cape	6.2 µg/m³	0.6	41 µmol/m²	13 µmol/m²
120	Umzimvubu	Eastern Cape	6.1 µg/m³	0.6	58 µmol/m²	52 µmol/m²
121	KwaDukuza	KwaZulu-Natal	6.1 µg/m³	0.6	68 µmol/m²	68 µmol/m²
122	Blouberg	Limpopo	6.1 µg/m³	0.6	47 µmol/m²	41 µmol/m²
123	Nkomazi	Mpumalanga	6.0 µg/m³	0.6	59 µmol/m²	60 µmol/m²
124	Ramotshere Moiloa	North West	6.0 µg/m³	0.6	51 µmol/m²	49 µmol/m²
125	Mbhashe	Eastern Cape	5.9 µg/m³	0.6	57 µmol/m²	47 µmol/m²
126	Ntabankulu	Eastern Cape	5.9 µg/m³	0.6	57 µmol/m²	49 µmol/m²
127	uMlalazi	KwaZulu-Natal	5.9 µg/m³	0.6	69 µmol/m²	71 µmol/m²
128	Mthonjaneni	KwaZulu-Natal	5.9 µg/m³	0.6	70 µmol/m²	75 µmol/m²
129	Greater Letaba	Limpopo	5.9 µg/m³	0.6	44 µmol/m²	35 µmol/m²
130	Maruleng	Limpopo	5.8 µg/m³	0.6	49 µmol/m²	43 µmol/m²
131	Kopanong	Free State	5.7 µg/m³	0.6	48 µmol/m²	36 µmol/m²
132	Amahlathi	Eastern Cape	5.6 µg/m³	0.6	50 µmol/m²	33 µmol/m²
133	Nyandeni	Eastern Cape	5.6 µg/m³	0.6	59 µmol/m²	53 µmol/m²
134	Molemole	Limpopo	5.6 µg/m³	0.6	44 µmol/m²	35 µmol/m²
135	Port St Johns	Eastern Cape	5.5 µg/m³	0.6	59 µmol/m²	53 µmol/m²
136	Sundays River Valley	Eastern Cape	5.4 µg/m³	0.5	41 µmol/m²	19 µmol/m²
137	Great Kei	Eastern Cape	5.4 µg/m³	0.5	51 µmol/m²	36 µmol/m²
138	Mandeni	KwaZulu-Natal	5.4 µg/m³	0.5	67 µmol/m²	68 µmol/m²
139	Witzenberg	Western Cape	5.4 µg/m³	0.5	38 µmol/m²	12 µmol/m²
140	uPhongolo	KwaZulu-Natal	5.3 µg/m³	0.5	76 µmol/m²	89 µmol/m²
141	Mafikeng	North West	5.3 µg/m³	0.5	47 µmol/m²	42 µmol/m²
142	Buffalo City	Eastern Cape	5.2 µg/m³	0.5	49 µmol/m²	31 µmol/m²
143	Ingquza Hill	Eastern Cape	5.1 µg/m³	0.5	58 µmol/m²	53 µmol/m²
144	Greater Kokstad	KwaZulu-Natal	5.1 µg/m³	0.5	50 µmol/m²	38 µmol/m²
145	Cederberg	Western Cape	5.1 µg/m³	0.5	40 µmol/m²	12 µmol/m²
146	Overstrand	Western Cape	5.1 µg/m³	0.5	36 µmol/m²	11 µmol/m²
147	Greater Taung	North West	5.0 µg/m³	0.5	44 µmol/m²	31 µmol/m²
148	Nongoma	KwaZulu-Natal	4.9 µg/m³	0.5	72 µmol/m²	83 µmol/m²
149	Matatiele	Eastern Cape	4.8 µg/m³	0.5	49 µmol/m²	43 µmol/m²
150	Makhado	Limpopo	4.8 µg/m³	0.5	42 µmol/m²	30 µmol/m²
151	Bushbuckridge	Mpumalanga	4.8 µg/m³	0.5	48 µmol/m²	41 µmol/m²
152	Sol Plaatje	Northern Cape	4.8 µg/m³	0.5	43 µmol/m²	30 µmol/m²
153	Kouga	Eastern Cape	4.7 µg/m³	0.5	39 µmol/m²	15 µmol/m²
154	Enoch Mgijima	Eastern Cape	4.7 µg/m³	0.5	43 µmol/m²	25 µmol/m²
155	Greater Giyani	Limpopo	4.7 µg/m³	0.5	43 µmol/m²	32 µmol/m²
156	Blue Crane Route	Eastern Cape	4.6 µg/m³	0.5	39 µmol/m²	17 µmol/m²
157	Saldanha Bay	Western Cape	4.6 µg/m³	0.5	40 µmol/m²	14 µmol/m²
158	Ngqushwa	Eastern Cape	4.5 µg/m³	0.5	44 µmol/m²	24 µmol/m²
159	Makana	Eastern Cape	4.4 µg/m³	0.4	41 µmol/m²	19 µmol/m²
160	Raymond Mhlaba	Eastern Cape	4.4 µg/m³	0.4	41 µmol/m²	21 µmol/m²
161	Letsemeng	Free State	4.4 µg/m³	0.4	44 µmol/m²	31 µmol/m²
162	Cape Agulhas	Western Cape	4.3 µg/m³	0.4	37 µmol/m²	11 µmol/m²
163	Ratlou	North West	4.2 µg/m³	0.4	43 µmol/m²	35 µmol/m²
164	Swellendam	Western Cape	4.2 µg/m³	0.4	36 µmol/m²	10 µmol/m²
165	uMhlathuze	KwaZulu-Natal	4.0 µg/m³	0.4	63 µmol/m²	69 µmol/m²
166	Ba-Phalaborwa	Limpopo	3.8 µg/m³	0.4	44 µmol/m²	34 µmol/m²
167	Thulamela	Limpopo	3.7 µg/m³	0.4	39 µmol/m²	26 µmol/m²
168	Dikgatlong	Northern Cape	3.6 µg/m³	0.4	39 µmol/m²	26 µmol/m²
169	Kou-Kamma	Eastern Cape	3.4 µg/m³	0.3	35 µmol/m²	12 µmol/m²
170	Collins Chabane	Limpopo	3.4 µg/m³	0.3	39 µmol/m²	27 µmol/m²
171	Kannaland	Western Cape	3.4 µg/m³	0.3	34 µmol/m²	10 µmol/m²
172	Oudtshoorn	Western Cape	3.3 µg/m³	0.3	34 µmol/m²	10 µmol/m²
173	Ndlambe	Eastern Cape	3.2 µg/m³	0.3	40 µmol/m²	20 µmol/m²
174	Inxuba Yethemba	Eastern Cape	3.2 µg/m³	0.3	35 µmol/m²	15 µmol/m²
175	Umsobomvu	Northern Cape	3.1 µg/m³	0.3	37 µmol/m²	21 µmol/m²
176	Dr Beyers Naude	Eastern Cape	3.0 µg/m³	0.3	33 µmol/m²	11 µmol/m²
177	Musina	Limpopo	3.0 µg/m³	0.3	37 µmol/m²	23 µmol/m²
178	Mossel Bay	Western Cape	3.0 µg/m³	0.3	34 µmol/m²	10 µmol/m²
179	George	Western Cape	3.0 µg/m³	0.3	34 µmol/m²	11 µmol/m²
180	Big Five Hlabisa	KwaZulu-Natal	2.9 µg/m³	0.3	61 µmol/m²	69 µmol/m²
181	Hessequa	Western Cape	2.9 µg/m³	0.3	34 µmol/m²	10 µmol/m²
182	Knysna	Western Cape	2.9 µg/m³	0.3	34 µmol/m²	11 µmol/m²
183	Renosterberg	Northern Cape	2.8 µg/m³	0.3	36 µmol/m²	21 µmol/m²
184	Matzikama	Western Cape	2.8 µg/m³	0.3	33 µmol/m²	10 µmol/m²
185	Laingsburg	Western Cape	2.8 µg/m³	0.3	32 µmol/m²	8 µmol/m²
186	Thembelihle	Northern Cape	2.7 µg/m³	0.3	35 µmol/m²	19 µmol/m²
187	Siyancuma	Northern Cape	2.7 µg/m³	0.3	34 µmol/m²	18 µmol/m²
188	Kagisano/Molopo	North West	2.7 µg/m³	0.3	37 µmol/m²	22 µmol/m²
189	Bitou	Western Cape	2.7 µg/m³	0.3	33 µmol/m²	10 µmol/m²
190	Prince Albert	Western Cape	2.7 µg/m³	0.3	32 µmol/m²	9 µmol/m²
191	Joe Morolong	Northern Cape	2.6 µg/m³	0.3	35 µmol/m²	18 µmol/m²
192	Ga-Segonyana	Northern Cape	2.6 µg/m³	0.3	35 µmol/m²	19 µmol/m²
193	Gamagara	Northern Cape	2.6 µg/m³	0.3	33 µmol/m²	16 µmol/m²
194	Jozini	KwaZulu-Natal	2.5 µg/m³	0.3	60 µmol/m²	71 µmol/m²
195	Kgatelopele	Northern Cape	2.5 µg/m³	0.3	35 µmol/m²	19 µmol/m²
196	Mfolozi	KwaZulu-Natal	2.4 µg/m³	0.2	58 µmol/m²	64 µmol/m²
197	Tsantsabane	Northern Cape	2.4 µg/m³	0.2	33 µmol/m²	14 µmol/m²
198	Inkosi Mtubatuba	KwaZulu-Natal	2.3 µg/m³	0.2	57 µmol/m²	63 µmol/m²
199	Emthanjeni	Northern Cape	2.2 µg/m³	0.2	33 µmol/m²	15 µmol/m²
200	Kamiesberg	Northern Cape	2.0 µg/m³	0.2	30 µmol/m²	8 µmol/m²
201	Hantam	Northern Cape	2.0 µg/m³	0.2	30 µmol/m²	8 µmol/m²
202	Siyathemba	Northern Cape	2.0 µg/m³	0.2	31 µmol/m²	13 µmol/m²
203	Beaufort West	Western Cape	2.0 µg/m³	0.2	30 µmol/m²	9 µmol/m²
204	Nama Khoi	Northern Cape	1.8 µg/m³	0.2	30 µmol/m²	8 µmol/m²
205	Karoo Hoogland	Northern Cape	1.8 µg/m³	0.2	29 µmol/m²	8 µmol/m²
206	Ubuntu	Northern Cape	1.8 µg/m³	0.2	30 µmol/m²	10 µmol/m²
207	Dawid Kruiper	Northern Cape	1.8 µg/m³	0.2	31 µmol/m²	10 µmol/m²
208	Umhlabuyalingana	KwaZulu-Natal	1.7 µg/m³	0.2	55 µmol/m²	65 µmol/m²
209	!Kheis	Northern Cape	1.7 µg/m³	0.2	30 µmol/m²	11 µmol/m²
210	Kareeberg	Northern Cape	1.6 µg/m³	0.2	29 µmol/m²	10 µmol/m²
211	Kai !Garib	Northern Cape	1.4 µg/m³	0.1	29 µmol/m²	9 µmol/m²
212	Richtersveld	Northern Cape	1.3 µg/m³	0.1	30 µmol/m²	8 µmol/m²
213	Khâi-Ma	Northern Cape	1.3 µg/m³	0.1	28 µmol/m²	8 µmol/m²

WHO’s 2021 guideline for nitrogen dioxide is 10 µg/m³ as a yearly mean. It is a long-term health guideline, not a legal limit (South Africa’s national standard for the yearly mean is set separately), and these are modelled regional means, not readings where you live.

By province

How it was checked

The Mpumalanga Highveld, where most of the country’s coal power stations are, stands out: Govan Mbeki (Secunda) has the most nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide of any municipality, and all five Highveld municipalities we checked are in the top tenth for sulphur dioxide in the column. Winters read above summers in every Highveld and Gauteng metro municipality checked. Johannesburg and Tshwane read far above the rural Northern Cape. The checks are in the docs.

Source

How we worked this out

What we changed: we averaged the reanalysis’s monthly means over each place by its area in each 0.75 degree cell, turned NO2 and ozone on the model’s lowest level from mass mixing ratio into micrograms per m3 with the month’s air density (surface pressure and temperature), and the columns from kg per m2 into micromol per m2.

Particles (PM2.5, PM10) and sulphur dioxide near the ground are not shown yet: the model reads them far higher over Gauteng and the Highveld than is plausible for a regional mean, so they wait for a check against ground stations.

Contains modified Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information 2003 to 2025. Neither the European Commission nor ECMWF is responsible for any use that may be made of the Copernicus information or data it contains. Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (2020): CAMS global reanalysis (EAC4) monthly averaged fields. Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) Atmosphere Data Store, DOI 10.24381/fd75fff2. Inness, A. and others (2019): The CAMS reanalysis of atmospheric composition, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 3515 to 3556. Under CC BY 4.0.

Dataset: air quality by municipality, release of 12 November 2026.