July 24, 2013

Alexandra, Milton record high air pollution levels

For the second time this winter, air pollution levels in Alexandra have topped 100µg/m3 (micrograms per cubic metre of air). This is more than double the permitted level prescribed in the Government’s National Environmental Standard for air quality.

ORC director of environmental information and science John Threlfall said the Milton air quality monitor also recorded its highest level this year on Sunday (July 21).

A one-day PM10 value of 138µg/m3 reflected the poor air quality that existed for most of the day there, Dr Threlfall said.

Evening hourly PM10 levels in Milton reached as high at 300µg/m3 close to midnight on Sunday as calm wind conditions prevailed.

While this is the highest value of 2013 for the South Otago town, last year during the same week the town reported 144µg/m3.

ORC continuously monitors and reports on air pollution caused by PM10 – minute particles suspended in the atmosphere – in central Alexandra, as well as the other Airzone 1 towns (Arrowtown, Clyde, and Cromwell) and Milton.

Dr Threlfall said the source of most of this type of pollution is smoke from domestic fires, which is why these PM10 levels rise significantly during the winter months.

Despite unseasonably warm weather on Monday (22 July), the average daily PM10 level in Alexandra was 111µg/m3, the second-highest reading this winter. The highest (130µg/m3) was on 8 June.

“Many owners of woodburners damp down their fires overnight so they are easier to re-ignite them in the morning.”

“In fact, slow, smouldering fires that have been damped down waste the heating potential in wood and create huge amounts of smoke. This practice is the single worst contributor to Central Otago’s winter air pollution,” Dr Threlfall said.

The Otago Air Plan requires the Government’s NES for air quality to be met this year. The plan defines what can be safely discharged into the air and in what quantities.

In the Air Zone 1 towns, winter air emissions from home heating frequently exceed these standards, being amongst the worst winter air quality in New Zealand.

ORC director regional services Jeff Donaldson said for the rest of this winter, ORC will be monitoring compliance with the Otago Air Plan rules in Air Zone 1 towns. Where excessive smoke is observed or reported, notices will be issued and people will have to remedy the issue.

Failure to comply may result in an infringement notice being issued, with a $300 fine.

Mr Donaldson said those people with non-compliant burners still had time to apply to ORC’s Clean Heat Clean Air programme for assistance with installing a more efficient appliance.

ends

© Scoop Media