PHF Science - NZ Institute Of Public Health and Forensic Science

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9 Jan

Previously ESR (Institute Of Environmental Science And Research)

In 2020, the New Zealand Government introduced a four-tiered Alert Level system to help combat the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. An unforeseen outcome of the extended restrictions in Auckland was that significant reductions in both daily and annual concentrations of two key pollutants, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter (PM₂.₅), were observed. Research in this area has gone on to demonstrate the health benefits that may accrue from reductions in air pollution due to a reduction in vehicle movement, because of COVID-19 restrictions

This report is an independent review of all available Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) ambient air quality monitoring data from the Mount Maunganui area for the period ending 30 May 2024. Prepared for Toi Te Ora, this report focuses on pollutants where evidence has advanced the most on health effects from exposure (WHO 2021), specifically particulate matter less than 10 micrometres in diameter (PM10), particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter (PM2.5), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

This report is an air pollution health risk assessment for the Mount Maunganui area, prepared in response to a request by Toi Te Ora Public Health. The intent is to provide information to polluters, regulatory agencies, and the affected community on the potential scale of adverse health outcomes from existing air quality with the aim of working together to reduce discharges.
The approach taken has been to qualitatively and, where practicable, quantitatively describe and assess potential health risks of exposure to identified air pollutants in the Mount Maunganui area in accordance with good practice (WHO, 2014). The qualitative assessment reviews available data for the period ending 31 December 2021. The quantitative assessment uses a base year of 2019, which pre-dates potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on ambient air quality.

This report assesses the likely improvements in air pollution health impacts associated with meeting the targets for on-road vehicle greenhouse gas emissions in Te hau mārohi ki anamata | Aotearoa New Zealand’s First Emissions Reduction Plan by:

Estimating the air pollution health impacts and social costs of motor vehicle emissions in 2019 to establish the baseline;
Assessing the change in motor vehicle emissions between 2019 and 2035 for business as usual (BAU) and scenarios representing the achievement of the various ERP targets (the scenarios); and
Calculating the associated air pollution health impacts and social costs of motor vehicle emissions in 2035 for BAU and the scenarios.

This report is the first step in addressing the research question: “What are the risks to public health associated with road, sea, rail and air travel including vessel emissions, dusty roads and vehicle emissions in New Zealand?” It draws on a stocktake and gap analysis of the current state of knowledge across various transportation sectors as at 30 June 2021.

Transport activities have direct and indirect public health impacts, some of which are negative (e.g. air pollution) but others which are positive (e.g. increased physical activity). A well-designed transport system reduces reliance on non-renewable resources and fits into the natural and physical environment in ways which avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse effects. While New Zealand has guidance and tools to assess public health impacts associated with roading projects, impacts from land use are less well supported. As part of the Health Risks from Transport Emissions in New Zealand research project, Emission Impossible Limited (EIL) were contracted to undertake this brief literature review on quantifying the health impacts of land use and transport emissions, including the ability to consider the benefits of alternatives.

Lou Wickham

New Zealand Transport Agency