Rotorua’s air among worst in New Zealand
For immediate release: Monday 2 February 2009

Rotorua’s air quality is among the worst in New Zealand, according to a report from the Ministry for the Environment (MFE), released today.

Rotorua exceeded the national standard 29 times in between September 2006 and August 2007; behind Timaru (36) and Otago - Alexandra and Arrowtown (55). The figures for 2008 tell a worse story. Environment Bay of Plenty figures show that Rotorua’s air quality exceeded the national standard 49 times in 2008.

Environment Bay of Plenty Councillor and Rotorua Air Quality Joint Standing Committee Chairman Neil Oppatt said: “The greater the number, the more days that the levels of dangerous fine particles in the air are at a level that could harm people’s health.”

The Ministry for the Environment report states that most poor air quality in New Zealand is caused by pollution from wood and coal being used for home heating during winter.

Mr Oppatt said that this was certainly the case for Rotorua. “Sixty percent of Rotorua’s air pollution comes from domestic sources, in particular fires for home heating and backyard burning; 24 percent from industry and 12 percent from transport,” he said.

Some people believed Rotorua’s poor air quality was caused by the sulphur from the natural geothermal features of the area, Mr Oppatt said, but this was not the case.

Mr Oppatt said that a draft Rotorua Air Quality Action Plan has been developed providing actions to help improve air quality and meet Central Government set standards by 2013. “It’s a mix of incentives and rules to improve the quality of Rotorua’s air by reducing pollution,” Mr Oppatt said.

Some of the proposed actions, which are aimed at removing 60 tonnes of fine particles from Rotorua’s air by 2013, include:
• offering homeowners loans on rates or a loan against the property to upgrade their heating method;
• government grants to upgrade heating methods in low-income housing;
• raising community awareness of the issues and the actions they can take;
• encouraging people to only buy or sell dry wood;
• working with industries to help further reduce their emissions; and
looking at bylaws to improve air quality.

“Having a warm, dry home is just as important as having clean air to breathe, and the intent is not to eliminate fireplaces but we do want to ensure they are clean burning,” Mr Oppatt said.

Tips to help reduce pollution
If you rely on wood fires for home heating, there are some easy things that you can do to reduce your emissions to the environment and increase the efficiency of your fire:

2. Stock up on firewood six to 12 months before winter to ensure your firewood is well seasoned and store it in a dry place. Burning wet wood increases emissions.
3. Don’t burn driftwood, treated wood or painted wood. These all release dangerous chemicals to the atmosphere. Also, don’t burn rubbish.
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.

For more information visit www.envbop.govt.nz.To find out more about the MFE report go to www.mfe.govt.nz/laws/standards/air-quality-standards.html

ENDS

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