CHRISTCHURCH - Forecasts of cold, still weather may be bad news for some Christchurch residents this winter.
Environment Canterbury councillor Sir Kerry Burke said as many as 40 premature deaths due to smog inhalation could be expected in Christchurch over winter.
Freezing cold, still weather increases smog levels, as pollutants are trapped
between layers of warm and cool air and build up over time.
The rise in air pollution can aggravate respiratory problems, which may prove fatal for frail or elderly people.
"We strongly urge people on cold, still nights to use electricity or gas for heating," Sir Kerry said.
Environment Canterbury had already recorded 10 high pollution nights this winter.
The level of what are termed suspended particulate concentrations in the air is monitored and averaged out over a 24-hour period.
It is considered a health risk if the level of pollutants in the air exceeds 50 micrograms per cubic metre.
Last Monday, the 24-hour average was 154 micrograms. The highest recorded level was 283 micrograms on one day in 1994.
Sir Kerry said Environment Canterbury was in the process of developing an air plan that would indicate acceptable levels of emissions from wood and coal fires.
It expects to publish the plan by the end of the year.
Sir Kerry said that once acceptable levels had been set, financial problems had to be addressed.
Some people could not afford to upgrade their solid fuel-burning fires to enclosed fires.
"It will be a gradual process," he said.
"It is not going to be a king hit."
- NZPA
