Worst air pollution Rustenburg, today and tomorrow
Today (16 July): Air quality in Rustenburg is fair. PM2.5, O3, and PM1 are fair; AQI, NO2, and SO2 are medium; PM10, CO, and HCHO are good. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (SO2: 49.0/100).
Tomorrow (17 July 2026): Air quality in Rustenburg is fair. All pollutants stay as today. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (SO2: 52.9/100). Airmine updates local air quality forecasts four times daily.
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Developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team
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Rustenburg's air quality faces serious challenges from platinum mining and smelting operations in the Bushveld Complex, with SO₂ and heavy metal particulate emissions from the surrounding Impala and Lonmin platinum refineries generating some of southern Africa's most elevated industrial pollution. The North West plateau's relatively open landscape provides wind dispersal on most days, but the density of smelter point sources maintains elevated baseline readings throughout the year.
Today - 16 July | Pollution peaks at 23:00
AQI:
Medium
49.0/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
25.8/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
7.1/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
45.5/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
26.8/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Medium
49.0/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
9.7/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
32.7/100
Levels show the poorest local air quality during the day
Tomorrow - 17 July | Pollution peaks at 11:00
AQI:
Medium
52.9/100
PM2.5 (fine particles):
Fair
29.0/100
PM10 (coarse particles):
Good
8.0/100
NO2 (nitrogen dioxide):
Medium
48.2/100
O3 (ozone):
Fair
37.9/100
SO2 (sulfur dioxide):
Medium
52.9/100
CO (carbon monoxide):
Good
0.0/100
HCHO (formaldehyde):
Good
17.0/100
PM1 (ultrafine particles):
Fair
36.7/100
Pollen forecast in Rustenburg
View pollen forecastSports venues in Rustenburg
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air quality bad in Rustenburg right now?
On 16 July 2026, overall air quality in Rustenburg is fair. PM1 is the main pollutant at 32.7/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 PM (SO2: 49.0/100).
Will air quality be worse tomorrow in Rustenburg?
On 17 July 2026, air quality conditions in Rustenburg will be similar to today, with O3 forecast at fair at 37.9/100. Pollution peaks around 11:00 AM (SO2: 52.9/100).
When is air pollution at its worst in Rustenburg?
Air quality at Rustenburg is most likely to dip during the dry winter months from May to August, when dust and smoke from seasonal burning can build up on still, windless days across the bushveld. Conditions generally improve from November onward as the summer rains settle dust and wash pollutants from the air throughout the region.
Are air quality levels in Rustenburg based on measurements or forecasts?
It is forecasts derived by downscaling forecasts provided by EU’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) by taking into account local conditions such as traffic patterns. CAMS bases its forecast on satellite measurements of particles and chemical compounds in the atmosphere. Airmine’s services were developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Business Applications and Space Solutions (BASS) team.
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Data provided by Airmine — Last update: 16 July 2026 at 10:33 CEST (Data is updated four times daily.)
This forecast is produced independently using Airmine's own atmospheric data and models.
Unless explicitly made clear, the content on this site has not been paid for by external organisations and is Airmine's sole responsibility.
For long term forecasts and maps, see the Airmine app