Air Quality
Caring for Marlborough's Air
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n Blenheim, urban air quality is degraded on some days during the winter months. Poor air quality can seriously affect our health. Air pollution particularly affects our heart and lungs, and can cause cancer.
As well as premature deaths, air pollution is known to cause sickness and hospitalisation. Air pollution particularly affects people with heart disease, respiratory disease, asthma and bronchitis.
Monitoring shows that the worst pollution occurs on calm, cold, winter days when contaminants are trapped close to the ground by an inversion layer.
Fine Particles (PM10)
PM10 are tiny particles suspended in the air that are invisible to the human eye. PM10 are particles less than 10 microns in diameter, which is about a fifth the size of a human hair. These particles can affect health, especially in the young or old, asthmatics and people with pre-existing respiratory conditions. Fine particles can increase hospital admissions, school absences, lost work days and restricted activity days.
PM10 comes from the burning of fuels such as coal, wood, diesel and petrol. A few industrial processes also produce particulate matter.
Concentrations of PM10 measured in Blenheim currently exceed the National Environmental Standards (NES) for suspended particulate PM10, which allows for one breach of 50 mg m3 in a 24 hour average per year.
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National Environmental Standards (NES)
In October 2004, the Government introduced 14 standards aimed at preventing toxic emissions and improving air quality. These standards place restrictions on the emission of pollutants, including those mentioned above.
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Marlborough Air Quality
The main air pollutant of concern in Marlborough is PM10. If the National Environmental Standards for PM10 are not met by 2013, Marlborough District Council will be unable to grant resource consents for discharges either in or that may affect the Blenheim air shed. To avoid potential limitations on our local economy it is important that we strive to meet these standards.
Monitoring of PM10 has been carried out in Blenheim since 2000 and measurements show PM10 in excess of 50 mg m3 most years. The number of days per year when PM10 concentrations have exceeded this limit range from 8-34. The highest concentration measured was 81 mg m3 and was measured during July 2004.
What can be done?
- Ensure boilers, chimneys and wood burners are serviced regularly.
- Where possible, efficient burner use on cool, calm, clear sky days.
- Ensure oxygen:fuel ratios are correctly adjusted.
- Use biofuels or clean fuels (eg; wood pellets) which produce less PM10 and net carbon dioxide emissions.
- Fit a cyclone or filter to reduce PM10 emissions.
We would appreciate your input and comments. If you have any ideas on how we can work together to improve Marlborough’s air quality, please contact us with your ideas.
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