Written By: Faith Jemosop
Is the Air Quality Safe in South Africa Right Now?
Imagine stepping outside to enjoy a sunny afternoon in Johannesburg, only to discover that the very air you’re breathing might be putting your health at risk. You can’t see it, but it’s there. Invisible particles, known as PM2.5 and PM10, quietly float in the atmosphere, slipping past your lungs’ defenses and triggering anything from mild irritation to chronic illness.
South Africa, with its mix of industrial activity, coal-fired power stations, traffic congestion, and seasonal veld fires, is no stranger to poor air quality. But how bad is it today? And more importantly, what can you do about it?
Real-Time Air Quality Levels by Region
South Africa’s air quality varies greatly depending on location, time of year, and weather patterns. As of this morning, real-time data from IQAir and SAWS (South African Weather Service) reveal the following:
- Johannesburg: PM2.5 at 67 µg/m³ – Unhealthy for sensitive groups
- Cape Town: PM2.5 at 18 µg/m³ – Moderate
- Durban: PM2.5 at 35 µg/m³ – Moderate
- Emalahleni (Witbank): PM2.5 at 98 µg/m³ – Unhealthy
These numbers may fluctuate hourly depending on wind direction, temperature inversions, and human activity like morning traffic or evening wood fires.
What Air Quality Numbers (PM2.5, PM10) Actually Mean for Your Health
PM2.5 refers to tiny particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter, roughly 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair. PM10 particles are slightly larger but still dangerous. Both can enter the lungs and even the bloodstream.
Health impacts:
- Short-term exposure: Coughing, shortness of breath, throat irritation, headaches
- Long-term exposure: Asthma, heart disease, lung cancer, neurological issues
According to the World Health Organization, no level of PM2.5 is truly “safe,” but it sets the recommended annual average at 5 µg/m³. On most days, Johannesburg exceeds this limit by over 12 times.
Dr. Zanele Mokoena, a pulmonologist based in Pretoria, explains:
“People often underestimate the risks. Breathing polluted air daily is like passively smoking a cigarette you didn’t ask for.”
Who Is Most at Risk: Children, Elderly, Chronic Illness Patients
In a country where 1 in 5 people live with a chronic respiratory or cardiovascular condition, the dangers of polluted air are magnified.
- Children: Their lungs are still developing and they breathe more rapidly, increasing exposure
- Elderly: Often have weakened immune and respiratory systems
- People with chronic illness: Those with asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or lung cancer are particularly vulnerable
In Soweto, 9-year-old Sipho has missed school three times this month due to asthma attacks. His mother, Thandi, says:
“We didn’t know it was the air. We thought it was just the flu. Then I saw the alert on my phone, PM2.5 was high that day. Now I check the app every morning.”
What You Can Do on High-Pollution Days
If your city is registering high pollution levels today, here are some practical steps you can take:
- Stay indoors during peak hours (usually 6am–10am and 5pm–9pm)
- Use air purifiers or indoor plants like spider plants and peace lilies
- Wear N95 masks outdoors especially in heavily polluted urban zones
- Keep windows closed and avoid burning wood or charcoal indoors
- Hydrate and eat antioxidant-rich foods (e.g., spinach, berries, green tea)
Health authorities recommend checking air quality daily, just like you check the weather. On bad days, consider shifting your workout indoors or delaying errands.
Map and Tools to Check Daily Air Quality in Your City
To stay informed, use these reliable tools:
- IQAir’s South Africa Air Quality Map – Provides real-time data by city
- South African Weather Service (SAWS) – Offers air quality indices and forecasts
- Plume Labs’ AirVisual App – Custom alerts and recommendations based on your location
- AirQo (Africa-wide) – Focuses on real-time African pollution tracking, including in townships and underserved areas
These tools answer the crucial question: Is air safe to breathe today in South Africa?
Also read: Air Pollution Is Killing 1,300 South African Children a Year. Why Isn’t Anyone Going to Jail?
What’s Next for South Africa’s Air?
South Africa is at a crossroads. Our dependence on coal, combined with limited environmental regulation enforcement, makes pollution an everyday reality. But with better awareness, community-level action, and stricter government policy, the tide can turn.
The recently proposed National Air Quality Management Framework includes public health-based thresholds and real-time reporting. But critics say implementation remains sluggish, especially in coal-mining towns.
So what can you do?
Stay informed. Advocate. Demand cleaner energy policies. And start with small actions because the air you breathe today shapes your tomorrow.
Inhale, Hold., Exhale.
Now ask yourself: Do you know what just entered your lungs?
