Raumati South air quality study
A Greater Wellington research study of Raumati South air quality indicates that the area has less than ideal air quality on some winter nights.
Greater Wellington Environmental Monitoring and Investigations Manager Ted Taylor said the results showed that smoke from domestic fires in Raumati South during calm winter nights was sometimes at levels which may be higher than allowed by the national environmental standard*.
Greater Wellington undertook the study in the Glen Road area of Raumati South from 25 May to 2 August 2010 following resident’s concerns about emissions from wood fires in the area.
The study measured levels of particulate matter - tiny particles up to 20 times smaller than the width of a human hair - that come from many sources, including road dust, sea salt and smoke from domestic fires.
Domestic fires and vehicles emit very fine particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5). Road dust and natural sources, such as sea-salt and soils, produce coarser particles (PM2.5-10). Exposure to high levels of very fine particles has been shown to cause heart and lung problems, especially for those people with existing health problems.
“The high levels of particulate matter are consistent with some other parts of the region where poorer air quality in winter is associated with cold, clear and still nights,” Mr Taylor said.
He said other short term monitoring programmes may be carried out in other parts of the Kapiti Coast airshed to determine whether establishing a permanent monitoring site in the area is justified.
Greater Wellington Kapiti Coast councillor Nigel Wilson said the results of the study are valuable for the development of a new regional plan, containing the rules and policies to manage the region’s natural resources, including air quality.
Councillor Wilson said as well as polluting the air, home fires could be an inefficient form of heating. “Traditionally, New Zealand homes weren’t designed for warmth and need insulating. Adding insulation keeps you warm, reduces the amount of heat you need to generate and can save you money in heating costs.”
Greater Wellington participates in the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s (EECA) home heating scheme, providing up to $2,600 assistance per ratepayer (paid back via a targeted rate) to help fund the remaining cost of home insulation and clean heating over and above the EECA grant.
Councillor Wilson encouraged more Kapiti households to access the scheme. So far 89 Kapiti households have accessed the scheme and we hope more will continue to do so to help improve air quality in the area.”
GW monitors air quality at selected locations around the Wellington region and develops policies and rules to manage air quality.
- See www.gw.govt.nz/technical-reports for the full report and a summary report.
- See www.gw.govt.nz/warmer-gw/ for information about Greater Wellington's financial assistance for ratepayers.
- The National Environmental Standard for PM10 is 50 μg/m3 (micrograms per cubic metre) over a 24 hour period.
If you are burning wood, consider the following:
- Insulate your house effectively and burn only dry, untreated wood in your fireplace.
- After starting a fire, leave the air vent open for at least half an hour to create a hotter, cleaner burning fire.
- See www.gw.govt.nz/bethedifference/ for more air quality tips.