Plans For National Air-Pollution Study

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28776, 23 December 1958, Page 12

Plans For National Air-Pollution Study

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, December 22. A New Zealand survey to determine the degree of air pollution in all main centres will be undertaken as soon as preliminary work is completed and Government finance is made available.

This was confirmed tonight by Dr. F. S. Maclean, chairman of the Advisory Committee on Air Pollution, which was set up three months ago by the Board of Health at the request of the Minister of Health (Mr Mason). The committee met for the first time earlier this month, and drafted a series of proposals designed to ensure that the survey is carried out efficiently and uniformly Committee Members Other members of the committee are:—Professor S. R. Slemon, profressor of chemical engineering at Canterbury University; Df. J. F. Gabites, officerimchief of the Meteorological Services; Dr. D. P. Kennedy, Assistant-Director of Public Hygiene; Mr F- T. J Grigg, Dominion analyst: Mr J. B. Brooke, director of the Auckland Industrial Development Laboratories; and Mr R. C. Way, chemical inspector of the Department of Health.

Dr. Maclean represents the Board of Health on the commi tte. Professor Siemon is a member of the Christchurch committee. now being formed. Dr. Maclean explained that other committees would be formed as the need arose. At present the Auckland committee had most experience, having been formed last year to investigate and co-ordinate work on air oollution in the Auckland area. Its terms of reference were wider, however, than would appear necessary elsewhere, as the main object of its formation was to examine a specific type of pollution in the Manukau area. The degree of air pollution in most parts of New Zealand is unknown. as no surveys have ever been carried out. The advisory committee is understood to have indicated that the main problems are in Christchurch and Auckland. Wellington and the Hutt

Valley have a lesser problehi because of the amount of wind. Authoritative estimates are that upwards of 1300 tons of soot, tar, dust, ash, sulphur oxides and hydrocarbons to the square mile are discharged annually over New Zealand cities. Giving figures earlier this year, the Minister of Health said: “Contamination of such startling dimensions must cause serious concern. It is recognised that what can happen in other countries must happen here.” British Requirements Today Mr Mason said that the origLi of most air pollution in New Zealand, particularly in Christchurch, was domestic. To correct this it would be necessary to study local conditions. It might be necessary eventually to bring in something like the United Kingdom’s Clean Air Act, which required that all domestic fires in certain areas should burn smokeless fuels, or ordinary fuels smokelessly. Such “smokeless zones” were administered by local bodies, with penalties for offences. The longterm answer, of course, lay in town planning, and the segregation of industry from residential and commercial areas.

Weather determined the severity of pollution, said Mr Mason. Thick fog and certain temperatures brought about “smog” conditions which had been noted in many overseas cities. Christchurch could be susceptible to this kind of pollution. Auckland also had its fume season, but so far Wellington was free of»either, mainly because of its strong winds.