Future monitoring

The Council is investigating the establishment of a continuous particulate monitoring site in Kaitāia. Trial screening started in July 2010 at North Road, Kaitāia. Further monitoring will be decided on the basis of results obtained from this trial monitoring.

In July 2010 the Council started carbon monoxide (CO) and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) monitoring at Robert Street in Whāngārei. Carbon monoxide is a colourless and odourless, yet highly toxic gas which is found in, among other things, car exhaust fumes.

Photo: Backyard burning of rubbish

You can help reduce the amount of air pollution in our region by:

· Using low emission burners;

· Cleaning your chimney at least once a year;

· Never burning rubbish, plastics or treated wood in your wood fire;

· Never using coal in a wood burner;

· Avoid burning rubbish and vegetation in your backyard;

· Compost vegetation and recycle other materials.

Find out more www.nrc.govt.nz/backyardburning or for more information on the Regional Air Quality Plan go to www.nrc.govt.nz/raqp

Photo: Backyard burning