July 12, 2007

Taking care of the air that we breathe

Every day people inhale around 14,000 litres of air as they take 26,000 breaths. Equivalent to 150 full bathtubs*, if this air contains pollutants and is inhaled, it can damage people's health.

Where pollution is impacting the air quality within North Shore City, the Auckland Regional Council (ARC) should be called upon for action. The ARC investigates excessive emissions of smoke, dust and odour, and can also advise on how to reduce air pollution.

North Shore City's environmental health team leader, Duffy Visser, says that until this month, it was city council officers who investigated local air pollution incidents. This function was taken over by the ARC from July 1 and people with concerns should now contact the ARC 24 hour pollution hotline on 366 2000.

"Anyone who is worried about pollution from industrial premises, odours, smoke from domestic fires or outdoor burning, should now call the ARC and not the North Shore City Council.

"Outdoor fires are illegal, unless people are cooking food, as they harm the environment and can annoy neighbours. If people need to get rid of garden refuse, they should look at other alternatives such as composting or a garden waste collection," she says.

If people are in any doubt about who to call, they can visit www.northshorecity.govt.nz key word; air quality, for a list of contacts for air pollution incidents. For general information on air quality, please visit www.arc.govt.nz

ENDS

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