The state Health Department is reporting that while Hawaii’s air quality degraded during the New Year’s celebrations, there was less particulate matter floating around than the previous year.

In a statement released Tuesday, health officials said levels of particulate matter exceeded the national standard only at a Pearl City monitoring station.

Measurements taken at three other Oahu stations and one on Maui found particulate matter levels at or below the national standard.

A year ago, three stations on Oahu recorded particulate matter levels that exceeded the national standard.

Fine particulates can penetrate the lungs and aggravate existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.