Odds and Ends

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It was estimated that one in six New Zealanders had asthma, about 450,000

people, and more than 10,000 were hospitalised each year.

AUCKLAND - The air Aucklanders breathe may get even worse than statistics

revealed this week.

Disturbing levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and fine dust - the

three pollutants that affect the city most - were found in June, reinforcing

the need for urgent action, says the region's air quality manager,

Mahon.

The simple explanation is a run of calm winter days, with not enough wind to

blow away the nasties, but the results do signal some worrying firsts,

according to Mr Mahon.

With the population forecast to increase exponentially - by half a million

in the next 20 years to two million by 2050 - Mr Mahon says Auckland must

act now to cut exhaust emissions and smoke from house and backyard fires,

just to stop pollution getting worse.

Excessive carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide in traffic-logged Khyber Pass

Rd and carbon monoxide in Queen St are not new, but scientists are concerned

about other new results.

Hobson St was above the standards for carbon monoxide over eight hours for

the first time. Another first was fine dust particulates above recommended

levels in Khyber Pass Rd, Penrose and on the same day, June 25.

That was partly due to better testing methods, but it seems to add credence

to a major concern - dust from house fires carrying " a cocktail " of

chemicals.

While motor vehicles belch out more than three-quarters of the air

pollutants across Auckland, Mr Mahon is also concerned about the smaller

levels (16 per cent) caused by wood-burners.

Auckland's medical officer of health, Dr , says that although

the results are worrying, there is not yet a major threat to health.

Carbon monoxide causes headaches and dizziness, impairing oxygen absorption

into the bloodstream, while both nitrogen dioxide and fine particulates

exacerbate heart and respiratory conditions, such as asthma.

Already, New Zealand, and especially Auckland, has one of the highest rates

of asthma in the world.

" There are some individuals who will now be affected by these levels, but in

the main the guidelines have quite a large safety limit, " says Dr .

" The worry is whether this is an increasing trend. At our present levels it

is not a problem for fit, healthy people with no underlying problems. But

some vulnerable groups are approaching levels which could lead to problems. "

Most of the pollution excesses were against standards over eight or 24-hour

periods. Commuters are unlikely to be stuck in even the worst tailback for

that long.

However, three guideline breaches of nitrogen dioxide over an hour in Khyber

Pass Rd caused more concern because exposure for that long is not unheard

of, according to Mr Mahon.

He would like to see more use of public transport and tougher vehicle

emission standards, believing New Zealand is way behind countries which have

switched to methods such as catalytic converters.

Imposing similar air standards to those in Christchurch - where pollution

gets hemmed in over the city - would probably see cleaner-burning home fires

installed in new homes, he says.

The Auckland Regional Council carries out monitoring around the city,

including the central business district, peak traffic areas, residential and

industrial areas and more distant sites such as Pukekohe.

Results from the pollution monitors, which cost around $20,000 each as well

as $15,000 a year to run, are reported monthly to the ARC's environmental

management committee.

Mr Mahon says Auckland is lucky with its topography and weather, because

pollution is usually dispersed by sea breezes. But calm conditions allowing

pollution to sit do occur during the change in seasons, as well as in the

depths of winter.

Similarly, no haze does not mean we can breathe easy. Carbon monoxide and

nitrogen dioxide are colourless.

Mr Mahon says pollutants such as lead, which has declined since the

introduction of lead-free petrol in 1987, or sulphur dioxide are less

worrying because they are now at low levels.

But the increase of four-wheel-drive vehicles using diesel has seen a

quadrupling of sulphur dioxide over the past three years and, if not

checked, it will exceed World Health Organisation guidelines within five

years.