Why is air quality important?

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Good air quality is fundamental to our wellbeing.

The presence of contaminants in the air can have adverse health and nuisance effects on people, property and the environment.

Small particles of pollution in the air come from:

Human activities such as burning of fuels for home heating, car exhaust emissions, road dust and quarrying activities
Natural sources such as wind-blown dust, plant pollen, sea salt and volcanic eruptions

People with pre-existing respiratory and heart conditions, diabetes, the young, and older people are particularly vulnerable to air pollution. These tiny airborne particles of pollution, known as particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) can cause a range of health effects such as:

headache and anxiety
irritation of eyes, nose and throat
cardiovascular diseases
impacts on the respiratory system, liver, spleen and blood, and the reproductive system

Air pollution can also affect our day to day activities and quality of life. It can be a hazard or nuisance by:

Smoke blown towards roads can reduce visibility and create a traffic hazard
Smoke and odour make the air unpleasant and unhealthy to breathe
Particulates such as ash are a nuisance by landing on houses, cars, washing, and play areas
Particulates can contaminate garden soil, fruit and vegetables, and drinking water collected from roofs

The main air quality issue in our district is winter time smog due to wood burning.

Wood burners used for home heating and outdoor fires associated with the burning of garden waste and horticultural practices contribute to this air pollution. The calm, clear and cold winter days don’t allow smoke to rise and disperse. Instead, the smoke sits low to the ground and the air pollution can cause significant negative health and nuisance effects.

Applying good practices when burning wood can significantly reduce the amount of smoke produced, ensure more efficient burning and, in the case of home heating, is more cost effective.

Select on the links below to view Tasman’s air quality monitoring, weather and webcam information. The Council also monitors Nelson’s air quality on behalf of Nelson City Council.

Last modified: 9 Apr 2024, 12:23