MEDIA RELEASE

Case of missing trailer solved

Monday 20 August 2007

Where’s the air monitoring trailer gone? It’s a common question in Rotorua at the moment.

Environment Bay of Plenty environmental scientist Shane Iremonger wants to reassure residents that they haven’t lost a valuable tool in their journey towards better air quality in the city.

Instead, says Shane, the case of the disappearing trailer is an easy one to solve.

“We’ve simply moved the trailer to a new location,” he explains. “After five years gathering information at the Pak N Save site, we’ve obtained all the information we need from that location. It’s now been moved out to Rotorua’s eastern suburbs where it’s happily gathering new information that will be valuable to the regional council’s air quality improvement work.”

Shane says that despite the high visibility of the trailer in its previous location, to some its purpose was a mystery.

“Environment Bay of Plenty has three air quality monitoring sites in Rotorua that collect information such as levels of fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide along with wind speed and direction, air temperature and humidity.

“This information is then electronically sent to our Whakatane office where it’s analysed. What we’ve collected has been valuable in helping to create a draft action plan to improve Rotorua’s air, which is about to be taken to a community working party for comment and feedback.

“We also use it for comparing the quality of the air in Rotorua with the Ministry for the Environment health based standards.”

ENDS

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