People across Otago are being encouraged to give their feedback on how to best manage air quality, with 17 drop-in sessions across the region starting at the end of the month.

The Otago Regional Council’s scientist, air quality Sarah Harrison said while Otago’s conditions have generally improved over the past 20 years, there is still more to do to meet the National Environmental Standard for Air Quality.

“Our monitoring and research show the main cause of Otago’s air pollution is from solid fuel burners used in home heating, but there are other sources, including rural outdoor burning, industrial and vehicle emissions,” she said.

Between July 29 and August 22 there will be 17 in-person sessions at 11 locations across Otago, plus two online sessions.

Feedback can also be provided online anytime.

“We’re encouraging people from all around Otago to either come to a session or join us on-line to give their feedback on air quality,” she said.

The key pollutant in Otago, particulate matter, mostly comes from home heating emissions.

“Air quality can be especially poor in parts of Otago because of the unique climate and landscape. We can have very cold winters and the geography and atmospheric conditions often act to trap pollution at ground level,” Sarah said.

Given a warm home is vital during Otago’s cold winters, burning wood or coal is the most economical way to keep warm, but not all fuels and burners are created equal, causing variability of emissions.

“The types of fuels and burner technology people use have a huge influence on air quality, as do the way they are operated."

The other three main areas of concern are outdoor burning, vehicle emissions and industrial emissions.

Odour, dust, and agricultural spraying are other air pollutants, which may impact some Otago residents.

“If people are seeing or feeling the effect of any of these, we want to know about them, so we can better manage air quality and consider what education, alternatives or mitigations could be put in place, to support rules in any plans,” she said.

At this time of year, corresponding with natural inversion layers, towns such as Alexandra, Cromwell and Arrowtown and some Dunedin suburbs can sometimes see an increase in pollutants from home heating smoke being “trapped” within the inversion layer.

In another example of seasonal air quality issues, Sarah said that within the last two months, outdoor burning incidents have generated more than 50 complaints to ORC, prompting staff to make 18 “educational visits,” plus other follow-up actions.

The Alexandra drop-in session will be held at Community House on Wednesday, August 21, 12pm–2pm and 4pm–7pm, in Cromwell on Wednesday, August 21, 12.30pm-2.30pm and 4pm–7pm at the Cromwell and Districts Presbyterian Church, and in Roxburgh on Thursday, August 22, 12pm–3pm at the Service Centre.