AUCKLAND: The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a report of the compilation of air data from 1100 cities in 91 countries. The report included the concentrations of ‘PM10' particles which may cause heart disease, lung cancer and asthma if penetrated into the lungs and bloodstream. Five cities in New Zealand had higher readings of ‘PM10' than their 14 Australian counterparts. The WHO recommends the maximum of ‘PM10' particles per cubic meter at 20 micrograms. Auckland measured at 23, Hamilton 22, Christchurch 20, Dunedin 19 and Wellington 21. Contrastingly Sydney measured only 12 micrograms and Brisbane 18. In Auckland, industry, transport and domestic heating were highlighted as the main sources of air pollution in the report. The government is to inject $13 billion into new motorways and roads. Green Party Transport spokesmen said, “we've got one of the oldest vehicle fleets in the world, Aucklanders are heavily car reliant and its no accident we've got the highest air pollution in Australasia.” This new report has strengthened Green Party's rallying with its popularity polls up 9 percent. The data showed Auckland had worse concentrations of ‘PM10' than New York and was at par with Tokyo's level of air quality. Tokyo has a population of 12.9 million, which is approximately 3 times the population of New Zealand, thus the statistics have shocked many. The spokesman said his government is serious about improving air quality, however he added, “I do find it odd that the WHO figures show Auckland as the worst air pollution problem in New Zealand when that is contrary to all the historic data which shows our biggest problem is in Christchurch.” The government plans to carry out a program to convert 20,000 homes to clean heating and is reviewing its vehicle emission standards. BM
