Smoke signals: A call for cleaner burning

Bay of Plenty Regional Council is hoping for clearer skies in Rotorua this winter, as it gets ready to carry out its annual woodburner checks across the city.

Historically, Rotorua has had some of the worst winter-time air quality in New Zealand because of smoke from woodburners. A decade-long education campaign and a ban on older style burners in 2020 have led to air quality improvements – but more work is needed.

According to the World Health Organisation, air pollution is the leading environmental threat to human health. Wood smoke contains fine particles that, when inhaled, can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Health impacts from fine particles include premature death, hospitalisations (for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases) and restricted activity days.

The Regional Council is responsible for monitoring and managing the region's air quality, making sure it does not exceed the national standards, which set a minimum level of health protection for people living in New Zealand.

“Everyone has a right to breathe clean air. The hidden harm from wood smoke cannot be ignored as there is clear evidence about the negative health impacts,” says Senior Regulatory Project Officer Marion Henton.

“While most in the community have already made the switch to cleaner heating, regardless of whether a burner is legal or not, all wood burners produce smoke and smoke is harmful to humans.

“There is no safe level of air pollution, so reducing smoke from wood burners or avoiding wood burning altogether is the best thing you can do to breathe cleaner air in your home and neighbourhood.”

Residents who are unsure about the legality of their woodburners are encouraged to contact Rotorua Lakes Council.

If you do have a compliant wood burner, make sure you:

• burn only dry, seasoned firewood (12-18 months)
• avoid overloading the firebox
• burn your fire hot and bright to reduce smoke
• don’t bank up the fire and shut it down before bed
• check the chimney flue 20-30 minutes after lighting – there should be no visible smoke, just a heat haze
• never burn rubbish or treated or painted timber.

For more information about improving Rotorua’s air quality, visit www.boprc.govt.nz/Rotorua-air  

ENDS