Clean, Green New Zealand: Secrets To Low Air Pollution

New Zealand has relatively good air quality, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 16, classified as 'Good'. However, at certain times of the year, some areas experience undesirable levels of air pollution. Regional councils and unitary authorities monitor outdoor air for key air pollutants, including sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3). The National Environmental Standards for Air Quality, established in 2004, provides a minimum level of health protection for people in New Zealand. Despite these measures, some areas in New Zealand, particularly during winter, experience high levels of particulate matter (PM) pollution from wood and coal burning for home heating.

Regional councils monitor key air pollutants

Regional councils play a crucial role in monitoring air quality and managing air pollution in their respective areas. For instance, the Hawke's Bay Regional Council generally maintains good air quality, but it can be compromised by factors such as domestic smoke, dust, odour, and agrichemical and organic spray drift pollutants. The council closely monitors key ambient (outdoor) air quality parameters, including PM10, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and ozone. PM10, composed of particles less than 10 micrometres in diameter, is of particular concern, with continuous monitoring at multiple locations.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council faces a unique challenge in managing air pollution in the Mount Maunganui area due to the proximity of industrial land to residential areas, including the Whareroa Marae. To address this, the council has implemented several measures, including contracting an independent provider to operate 11 air monitors in the industrial zone. These monitors operate 24/7, tracking pollutants such as fine dust, hydrogen sulfide, and sulphur dioxide. The council also installed an air monitor onsite at the Whareroa marae in 2015, contributing to ongoing efforts to protect the community's health and cultural practices.

The Hawke's Bay Regional Council also recognises the impact of agricultural practices on air quality. While windblown dust or dirt from ploughing in strong winds can be an issue, the council encourages industry groups to adopt best practice standards to minimise these problems. Additionally, the council is committed to staying updated with technological advancements and utilising quality data to make informed decisions about air quality management.

Regional councils' efforts in monitoring key air pollutants are essential for maintaining and improving the air quality in their respective regions. By setting rules and standards, such as those outlined in the Regional Air Plan, councils can better control dust and other pollutants, ensuring the health and well-being of their communities. These dedicated monitoring and management strategies contribute to New Zealand's overall low air pollution levels.

Long-term monitoring of air pollutants from residential, industrial, and traffic sources

New Zealand has relatively good air quality, but certain areas experience undesirable levels of air pollution at specific times of the year. To safeguard air quality, regional councils and unitary authorities monitor outdoor air for key air pollutants. Long-term monitoring sites track levels of air pollutants from residential, industrial, and traffic sources.

Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) displays air quality information from around 62 active and 84 historical monitoring sites across New Zealand's 16 regions. Most monitoring locations focus on areas with poor or potentially poor air quality. The data on LAWA is used to understand air quality and identify the main contributors to poor air quality at local levels.

Gas pollutants, including sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and benzene, are monitored by some councils, mainly in cities where traffic and industry are the primary sources. Monitoring is also carried out on highways around New Zealand by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. The data collected is used by scientists and decision-makers to assess air quality, identify factors that impact it, and understand how it changes over time. This informs policies and actions to improve air quality and benefit people's health.

In addition to monitoring, councils implement air quality management programmes to improve air quality. These programmes focus on areas with known or suspected issues with air quality. Monitoring data is used to evaluate the effectiveness of these programmes and interventions.

National Environmental Standards for Air Quality 2004

New Zealand's National Environmental Standards for Air Quality 2004 sets out a number of standards and guidelines to protect and improve the country's air quality. The standards aim to ensure that New Zealanders can enjoy clean, healthy air, and that the country's unique natural environment is preserved for future generations.

The standards cover a range of pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead. They set out specific limits and targets for each pollutant, as well as requirements for monitoring and reporting on air quality. The standards also outline the responsibilities of various government agencies and local authorities in implementing and enforcing these standards.

One of the key features of the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality 2004 is the establishment of Air Quality Zones across the country. These zones are designated areas where specific air quality standards and targets apply, taking into account the unique characteristics and needs of each area. For example, a rural area may have different priorities and challenges when it comes to air quality compared to an urban city centre.

The standards also include provisions for managing and reducing air pollution from a range of sources, such as industry, transport, and agriculture. This includes measures such as emissions standards for vehicles, regulations on the use of certain fuels, and requirements for pollution control technology in industrial processes.

To ensure compliance with the standards, a range of enforcement tools and penalties are outlined. These include the ability for local authorities to issue abatement notices, infringement notices, and fines for non-compliance. The standards also encourage the use of voluntary measures and best practice guidelines to improve air quality, in addition to regulatory measures.

Overall, the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality 2004 provides a comprehensive framework for managing and improving air quality in New Zealand. By setting clear standards, targets, and responsibilities, the standards help ensure that New Zealanders can continue to enjoy clean, healthy air, and protect the country's precious natural environment.

World Health Organization Air Quality Guidelines 2021

The World Health Organization (WHO) released an update to their Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) in 2021. The guidelines are neither standards nor legally binding criteria, but they are designed to offer guidance in reducing the health impacts of air pollution. The recommendations are based on systematic literature reviews, rigorous evaluation methods, and extensive consultation with experts and end-users of the guidelines from all regions of the world.

The 2021 update includes new air quality levels to protect the health of populations by reducing levels of key air pollutants, some of which also contribute to climate change. The guidelines recommend air quality levels for six pollutants: particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO). These classical pollutants are selected for update by a specific expert group.

According to the WHO, air pollution is the greatest environmental threat to health and a leading cause of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart attacks, stroke, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). New research has also shown links between prenatal exposure to high levels of air pollution and developmental delays, as well as psychological and behavioural problems later in life, including symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and depression.

The goal of the 2021 guideline update is for all countries to achieve the recommended air quality levels. To support countries struggling with high air pollution levels, the WHO has proposed interim targets to facilitate stepwise improvement in air quality and gradual but meaningful health benefits for the population. While the guidelines are not legally binding, they are an evidence-informed tool to guide legislation and policies to reduce levels of air pollution.

High levels of PM in winter produced by wood and coal burning

New Zealand has relatively good air quality due to its low population density and island geography. However, in the last 15 to 20 years, the air pollutant of most concern in many parts of New Zealand has been particulate matter (PM) from burning wood and coal.

PM2.5 refers to particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres, and PM10 refers to particles with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres. These particles are produced by the combustion of fossil fuels, such as motor vehicle emissions, and the burning of wood and coal for home heating. Short-term and long-term exposure to PM10 and PM2.5 is associated with a wide range of health risks.

In New Zealand, high levels of PM in winter are produced by wood and coal burning for home heating. In these areas, PM levels can exceed national air quality standards or guidelines, usually on colder winter days and nights when there is no wind to disperse the PM. PM10 is the most monitored air quality indicator in New Zealand, and it includes particles derived from the suspension of dust and soil, as well as other materials from roads, farming, construction, mining activities, and coal and oil combustion.

The HAPINZ 3.0 report, released in 2022, found that of the more than 3,300 deaths associated with anthropogenic air pollution, 60% were associated with nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution, largely from motor vehicles, and 40% were associated with fine particulate (PM2.5) pollution, largely from home wood burning. It is estimated that 1,100 people die prematurely in urban areas from air pollution, and most of this poor air quality is caused by high winter levels of PM10 from wood and coal used for home heating.

To help safeguard air quality in New Zealand, outdoor air is monitored for key air pollutants by regional councils and unitary authorities. Long-term monitoring sites track levels of air pollutants generated from different activities, including residential, industrial, and traffic sources.

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