Air checks show rural areas not so pristine

By JO-MARIE BROWN

Environment Waikato has found higher-than-expected air pollution levels in Taupo and says rural New Zealand's air quality is not as pristine as some may think.

Air quality scientist Leif Pigott said an industrial area near the township was monitored at six-day intervals between October 1999 and April this year and seven of the samples were found to breach regional guidelines.

Mr Pigott said people believed air quality was not a problem in rural regions but that was not always the case.

The fine particles recorded, which particularly affect asthma sufferers and the elderly, were thought to have come from vehicles driving across unsealed yards, engine combustion and wood-processing machinery.

Home-heating fires also generated contaminants and Environment Waikato would shortly begin a two-year survey in Taupo, Huntly, Matamata and Putaruru to determine the extent of the problem.

Mr Pigott said similar monitoring was underway in Hamilton, Tokoroa and Te Kuiti.