Air quality monitoring season begins

Media Release

With the winter weather starting to bite, this is the time when people’s health is most at risk from poor air quality.

Environment Southland’s winter air quality monitoring season officially started today (1 May).

Environment Southland team leader air and terrestrial science Nick Talbot said during winter poor air quality can be issue in Southland, particularly in the urban areas of Invercargill and Gore.

“As the use of fires for home heating in the winter months increase, so too does the amount of pollutant PM10 (the measurement of particles in the air). It is this pollutant that has an impact on people’s health, especially those who are more susceptible to health complications, such as children, the elderly and others with respiratory conditions.”

While air quality can decrease during the winter months, there are ways Southlanders can make a difference.

“Burning wet wood produces a large volume of smoke and does not produce anywhere near as much warmth as dry wood. Wood needs to have a moisture content of less than 25% before burning to reduce the amount of smoke it produces.

“Keep your fire burning hot and bright, do not bank it overnight and ensure the chimney is swept and the burner maintained. This will all help reduce the volume of smoke.”

The Regional Air Plan includes rules to help improve air quality. Open fires are prohibited in the Invercargill and Gore airsheds, and non-compliant burners are being progressively phased out.

Environment Southland operates a Good Wood approved suppliers’ scheme, which firewood retailers voluntarily agree to be part of.

Over the winter period from 1 May through until 31 August, outdoor burning is also prohibited within the Invercargill and Gore airsheds. Those outside the airsheds can continue to burn but must still adhere to a number of rules, including not burning prohibited items such as baleage wrap and treated timber.

Keep up with how our air quality is faring, with live PM10 readings for the Invercargill and Gore airsheds available on www.BreatheEasySouthland.co.nz. The website also has information about the phasing out of non-compliant domestic burners, the Good Wood scheme, good burning practice and more.

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For further information contact strategic communications advisor Brittany Pickett on 021 499 580