Taking a joint approach to clean winter air

As winter draws near, people’s attention turns both to keeping warm and to the impact this can have on South Canterbury’s air quality.

Around 80% of the harmful particulate PM10 comes from domestic home heating and these tiny particles are breathed into the lungs causing respiratory and other long-term health issues.

This year, South Canterbury District Health Board is supporting and working with South Canterbury District Councils and Environment Canterbury to improve air quality in South Canterbury.

SCDHB Board Chair Murray Cleverley says “South Canterbury District Health Board supports clean air initiatives in South Canterbury. Poor air quality has significant health effects on our community especially our most vulnerable - children and the elderly. Simple actions can be made to help our air quality including burning dry wood only and not burning rubbish. Poor air quality is a local problem, we need local action and we all need to play our part.”

Dr Bruce Small, SCDHB Chief Primary Care Medical Officer sees poor air quality as something people need to take seriously. “Poor winter air quality in South Canterbury is a problem. It can be hard to highlight as an issue as its effects are not always immediately visible. Air pollution worsens asthma, chronic airways disease, heart disease and limits people’s ability to work and play – it’s a real issue that is affecting the health of South Cantabrians.’’

Timaru District Council Mayor Janie Annear says it is important agencies and groups in the community work together to address issues caused by poor air quality. Local residents can also help.

“We can all make changes to the way we do things,’’ she says. “People may not realise that they are contributing to pollution in the air by having a chimney that smokes excessively. Simply by going outside and looking at their own chimney once the burner is lit can make a difference.

“Once you realise your chimney is smoking too much, you can change the way you burn so you use your burner properly or you can make sure you burn only properly dried wood, rather than rubbish and other products other than wood.’’

Winter air quality is an issue for most Canterbury towns. Waimate Mayor John Coles says “While we measure smoke emissions because we want to reduce the number of times we exceed the national guidelines, the main reason we are doing this is to improve air quality in winter. We want to improve our community’s health because keeping residents healthy adds to both their lifestyle and their quality of life.’’

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