The scientific instrument measuring the level of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5) or less at Żejtun Air Monitoring station is giving anomalous readings due to technical problems, and therefore should not be cause for alarm.
In view of this, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) is currently conducting tests on this PM 2.5 analyser. The PM 2.5 data has been disabled for the duration of the testing. Notwithstanding this, the Żejtun Air Monitoring Station will still continue transmitting the rest of the air monitoring data 24/7.
Third-party websites, such as the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) website, may still be showing data that is automatically sent by ERA’s stations. This data includes the PM 2.5 data from the faulty analyser. The correct data will be transmitted once the issue has been solved.
ERA will issue an official notification once the system is fully functional.
Presently, ERA runs four automated near real time Air Monitoring Stations that are situated at fixed sites: a traffic site in Msida, an urban background site in Żejtun, an urban site in Attard and a rural background site in Għarb, Gozo.
ERA’s Air Monitoring Stations determine concentrations of most pollutants every 15 minutes, giving ERA a continuous overview of air quality. The Air Monitoring Stations stations cover all pollutants requiring monitoring and reporting under the Ambient Air Quality Directive (2008/50/EC) and the four Daughter Directives (2004/107/EC). These include ground-level ozone, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, gaseous mercury, particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and meteorological variables, such as wind speed and direction.
ERA’s air monitoring data is accessible online here.
