Environment Soutland's proposed air plan will not be affected by calls for a change to how air quality is measured in New Zealand.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Jan Wright, recently told the Government pollution ''spikes'' on still winter days should not be the focus of New Zealand air quality regulations.
Environment Southland air quality scientist Owen West said Dr Wright's report could prompt the Government to revisit national standards, ''but there is no question that the Invercargill and Gore airsheds have air quality issues during the winter months''.
Mr West said the council had an obligation to meet current national standards.
Southland, like other regional councils, monitors PM10 (particles with a diameter of less than 10 microns) and aims to meet national standards based on PM10 levels. . World Health Organisation air quality guidelines focus on long-term exposure to smaller PM2.5 particles (less than 2.5 microns).
Dr Wright said changing the regulations to focus on long-term exposure to PM2.5 would ''widen council perspectives beyond home heating''.
Environment Southland received 795 submissions about the proposed air plan in November last year.
The plan includes a region-wide ban on burning wet wood, or wood that has been stored incorrectly, and high-sulphur coal, like that from Kaitangata, from January 1 next year.
From that date, old-style burners will be banned, and from the following September, open fires in Gore and Invercargill will also be banned.
A council decision on the plan is expected this winter.
