Ambient PM10 monitoring of unsealed roads 2019/20

Introduction

Each year during the dry periods Northland Regional Council (council) receives several complaints about dust nuisance produced by vehicles travelling on unsealed roads in Northland. This is an ongoing issue for council, particularly during summer months. Council monitors PM₁₀ concentrations adjacent to unsealed roads during  summer in order to investigate concerns raised by residents.

Council initiated unsealed road PM₁₀ monitoring in 2013. PM₁₀ monitoring is generally undertaken between December and March/April each summer, depending on weather conditions. The results of the monitoring are published in an annual report and distributed to residents who reported the nuisance. The results are also distributed to the relevant district council.

This report provides details of PM₁₀ monitoring carried out during summer 2019/20.