Laws wants proof of ‘problem’

There is no evidence linking poor air quality and health problems in parts of Otago, regional councillor Michael Laws says.

At an Otago Regional Council meeting in Dunedin yesterday, Cr Laws questioned a report on air quality the council endorsed which illustrated ideas to tackle the problem in the region.

It related particularly to towns with poor air quality ratings, such as those in wider Central Otago and Clutha regions.

He had not seen any proof there was a connection between poor air quality and health impacts in the region, he said.

"I’ll tell you, in Central Otago there’s a perception that there isn’t a problem. I’ve always asked for the proof there is a problem."

Cr Noone said it was not the time to have that debate. Cr Laws said "where will we have that debate?"

There was a study from 2007 on the health impacts of air quality in Otago, but he had never been provided with it, he said.

Cr Laws also questioned why air quality in the region was measured in PM10, meaning pieces of particulate matter 10 micrometers or less. It would be more accurate to test for PM2.5 and less as these were the main particulates known to be dangerous, he said.

Council environmental scientist Deborah Mills said there were plans to install such an instrument in Dunedin, but not in Central Otago. This was because as the vast majority of particulate matter in Central Otago was 2.5PM and under, whereas Dunedin had a lot more sea salt and traffic pollution in the air skewing the readings.

There was a gap in information regarding the health impacts of poor air quality on health in Otago, but part of the council’s new strategy was to develop a methodology for testing this, she said.

Cr Gretchen Robertson said while it would be brilliant to have more research, it was noted this was difficult in small towns.

"Medical experts have proved PM10 leads to health impacts across the world."

Cr Trevor Kempton said he was "quite disappointed" there were not ideas relating to wider policy and community heating schemes.

Ms Mills said there were many structural issues which needed to be addressed, but the report on the table was more about short-term regional solutions.

The report contained a list of general ideas relating to the need to use technological advances and improved methodology to improve air quality in Otago.

jono.edwards@odt.co.nz