Rotorua air quality worse than national limit

Rotorua’s air quality exceeded national standards seven times in the month of June, six times more than allowed for the whole year.

Environment Bay of Plenty Group Manager Water Management Eddie Grogan said the standard had also been exceeded four times in May, all at a residential testing site in the western suburb’s Edmund Road.

Environment Bay of Plenty figures showed the national standard of 50 micrograms per cubic metre was exceeded on seven separate occasions – ranging from 90 to 127 micrograms – well over the limit.

Mr Grogan said the figures also showed that both morning and evening domestic fires contributed to the air quality problem. (See graph)

Sixty percent of Rotorua’s air pollution comes from domestic home heating sources and backyard burning with just 24 percent from industry and 12 percent from transport, Mr Grogan said. During winter, the percentage of pollution from fires and burners dramatically rises.

“It’s important for people to remember there are some easy things they can do to reduce air pollution and increase the efficiency of their fires," he said.

“If you’re running out of firewood make sure you buy or collect dry wood. Store it in a dry place and try to get it well seasoned before burning it. Burning wet wood increases emissions.”

The greater the number of days that levels of dangerous fine particles exceed the national standard, the more likely it is that people’s health can be damaged, Mr Grogan said

Other hints for reducing air pollution include:
• Don’t burn driftwood, treated wood or painted wood. These all release dangerous chemicals into the atmosphere. Never burn plastics or other rubbish (except paper) in your fire.

• Burn smaller, hotter fires. They are more efficient. Avoid letting the fire smoulder, either by overloading it or dampening down, especially overnight. This causes more emissions so it’s better to relight your fire in the morning if needed.

Supporting data:
Values of PM10 (24-hr average) recorded in the Rotorua Airshed – Edmund Road site - above the National Environmental Standard for Air Quality for the month of June 2009. The allowable level is 50 mg/m3.

Date Concentration
03 June 2009 96 mg/m3
04 June 2009 127 mg/m3
05 June 2009 90 mg/m3
24 June 2009 98 mg/m3
25 June 2009 104 mg/m3
26 June 2009 92 mg/m3
27 June 2009 102 mg/m3

Source: Environment Bay of Plenty

ENDS

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