Prevention Of Air Pollution In N.Z. Cities Planned

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28700, 25 September 1958, Page 18

Prevention Of Air Pollution In N.Z. Cities Planned

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, September 24. Atmospheric pollution in some areas in New Zealand, particularly in the winter, was according to one expert, as great a problem as in some parts of Britain where special legislation had been brought down to deal with it, said the Minister of Health (Mr Mason) today, in announcing that he had requested the Board of Health to set up an advisory committee on air pollution. Every year, according to an authoritative estimate, 100,000 tons of soot and tar in smoke, 100,000 tons of dust and ash, 150.000 tons of sulphur oxides and 300,000 tons of hydrocarbons and industrial vapours are discharged into the

New Zealand air, mostly over cities, at a combined density of 1300 tons to the square mile. “Contamination of such startling dimensions must be a subject for serious concern,” said Mr Mason. “Action to prevent air pollution must be taken long before the situation becomes severe enough for the general public to realise how ( much they are being affected.” The Health Department had already been active in various ways in introducing measures to help combat air pollution. Legislation and regulations had been brought into operation, a chemical inspector had been appointed and advice had been given to major local authorities on the development of by-laws to cover smoke densities.

The department was drafting a proposed smoke density regulation which could be adopted by local authorities. The sub-committee of the Board of Health would act as a permanent advisory body, said Mr Mason. Its functions would be to consider and advise on air pollution matters on a national scale, to consider and make recommendations on the action necessary to check the development of an air pollution problem and to ensure its abatement, to determine what sampling and analytical programmes should be undertaken to establish the degree and change in the air pollution of New Zealand, to correlate reports and advise on air pollution, and to provide authoritative comment and advice.