Protect The Air We Breathe

Air pollution in Blenheim has been reaching serious levels far higher than usual this winter.

The District Council monitors air quality in Redwoodtown and Springlands. Twice this year within Blenheim, the air quality has fallen significantly below the standard set by the Ministry of the Environment for clean, breathable air.

Last year, it happened only once all winter, and the breach was minor.

Air quality is measured by the level of particles in the air; too many particles of pollutant like black carbon and people begin to feel the effects, ranging from nose and throat irritation through to respiratory problems. That poses a particular risk to children, the elderly and people with asthma or other respiratory conditions.

The main source of pollution here is the smoke emitted when damp firewood and rubbish is put into household wood burners, smoky old woodburners and open fires, and the smoke coming from back yard burning.

To improve the air we all breathe, indoors and outdoors, all householders can take immediate steps to minimise air pollution:

• Use only dry wood which burns efficiently
• Don’t burn refuse, plastics or other household waste
• Allow maximum air flow to freestanding fires (when being lit and when adding more fuel, to allow for effective burning)
• Check your flue for soundness, soot and creosote each year
• Don’t put wet or green garden waste on backyard bonfires.
• From 2013 the quality of our air will be required to meet national standards.

If our air quality doesn’t improve, the District Council may find itself restricted in granting air discharge consents. The Council doesn’t favour the heavy regulatory route. But that means the community is going to have to play its part in keeping our air clean.