Air pollution

Press, 21 July 1984, Page 18

Air pollution

Sir, — Fourteen years ago a committee on Air Pollution advised the City Council that the solution to the air pollution problem was “the Abandonment of onen coal fires.”

Yet the Health Department said yesterday that the smog is worse this year then last, and that the “smog potential has been the same for the last 10 years.” If the council wanted they could drasticly reduce smog overnight by banning open fires; they are reluctant to act because, one councillor told me, “coal fires are such a comfort to the elderly.” In that case why not ban open fires except for those over 65? Or, on the user pays principle impose a licence fee for each open fireplace to discourage open fires. The present policy is not working: the council should take stronger action. — Yours, etc., S. DENGATE. July 19, 1984.

Sir,—l would point out to G. Hoskins that for many older people an open fire is not “a small luxury.” It is the difference between keeping warm and sitting in the cold for part of the day. Many people find it difficult to pay their electricity bills now; any increase would be an impossibility. We use our open fire during the winter months, and I hardly ever have to wipe our clothesline, but then we are lucky and have no heavy traffic passing our section. I am convinced that the major source of air pollution in Christchurch is the filth spewed into the air by heavy vehicles. Anyone who stands at a major intersection when the lights change and the traffic surges past can see, smell and almost taste the emissions from the vehicles. The City Council would be better employed trying to cope with that problem. — Yours, etc., ANNE THOMSON. July 17, 1984.