Otago Regional Council (ORC) has reminded people that air quality often degrades during winter due to increased domestic heating emissions, cold calm weather, and the occurrence of inversion layers.

Given the frequency of home heating emissions in our air quality data, ORC runs an annual Burn Dry, Breathe Easy campaign to highlight better ways to manage home heating emissions, including ensuring that wood is dry before burning, and not burning rubbish in domestic appliances.

“Woodsmoke pollution can be reduced when residents burn only dry wood and keep their fire hot and not smouldering,” ORC air scientist Sarah Harrison said.

“Further woodsmoke reductions could potentially be made through thermally efficient homes with good insulation.

“Everyone has responsibilities whether at home or as landowners, industry, or businesses to play their part in improving air quality,” she said.

ORC said it hoped the campaign would encourage residents to think about the health of their families and community and use wood burners responsibly, or consider the installation of ultra-low emission burners or heat pumps.

Several air quality reports recently presented to ORC outline the current state of the environment when it comes to air quality.

The Annual Air Quality Report 2023 outlined monitoring efforts over the past year and compared data gathered against the current National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NESAQ) limit.

The annual report noted improvements being made to the State of the Environment monitoring network to include monitoring for PM2.5 particles which are smaller and can be harmful to health.

Last winter Otago recorded only 17 exceedances of the NESAQ for PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres) during the winter months in 2023.

In Otago, the main source of PM is home heating emissions in winter. Long term exposure to PM10 and PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres) contribute to the risks of cardiovascular and respiratory conditions.

Recent research provides evidence that air pollution is dangerous at lower concentrations than previously thought and supports the lowering of existing guidelines.

Significant reductions in emissions are required to meet the NESAQ for PM10 in many Otago towns.

PM2.5 was monitored in Wānaka, Arrowtown, Central Dunedin, Clyde, Cromwell, and Milton, with Arrowtown, followed by Milton, having the highest annual and winter average concentrations.

ORC’s State of the Environment monitoring network is currently being upgraded to include PM2.5 monitoring. 

ORC also ran a number of spatial studies last year in Hāwea, Luggate, Ranfurly, Kingston, Oamaru, and South Dunedin, using temporary sensors to understand more about the spatial variation of particulate matter.

Sarah said the information from these studies can be used to help identify potential future locations for further monitoring.

PHOTO: Wānaka App