Air Pollution in New Zealand

1450 Words3 Pages

Introduction
In Auckland, private cars are hugely important to individuals as a means of transport around the city. However the use of personal vehicles has a negative impact on the environment in the form of air pollution (Auckland Regional Council, 2014). Air pollution can be measured by the level of particulate matter found in the air. Particulate matter is made up of very fine particles in the air which may be visible but are not always seen (Ministry of Transport, 2002). Air pollution due to transport causes an increase in the amount of fine particulate matter specifically PM₁₀. However there are also other molecules such as nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) that also prove toxic to humans in certain concentrations (Public Health Advisory Committee, 2002). An increase in these molecules can be related to an increase in adverse health effects and mortality rate (Health Research Council, 2012).
This rise in particulate matter count can be mainly attributed to an increase in the human activity surrounding the use of personal and public transport especially in cities such as Auckland that have a large population and high car usage (Health Research Council, 2012). This essay will outline the health effects from air pollutants which include respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Furthermore it will discuss the management of air pollution by the Auckland City Council through the Auckland Regional Growth Strategy (Auckland Regional Council, 2014). With successful implementation of these strategies put forth by the council, air pollution can be reduced so that in turn, the negative health effects are lessened.
Health effects
Air pollution can cause adverse health effects however this has been found to be a dose-respo...

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...w.hapinz.org.nz/HAPINZ%20Update_Vol%201%20Summary%20Report.pdf
Ministry of Transport. (2002). Health effects due to motor vehicle air pollution in New Zealand. Retrieved from www.transport.govt.nz/assets/Import/Documents/_versions/4069/health-effects-of-vehicle-emissions.1.pdf
Public Health Advisory Committee. (2002). New Zealand evidence for health impacts of transport. Retrieved from http://nhc.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/health-impact-transport-phac.pdf
Scoggins, A., Kjellstrom, T., Fisher, G., Connor, J. & Gimson, N. (2003) Spatial analysis of annual air pollution exposure and mortality, Science of the Total Environment, 321, 71−85. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2003.09.020

Shaw, S. (2013). Urban issues. In S. Shaw, W. L. White & B. Deed (Eds.), Health wellbeing & environment in Aotearoa New Zealand (pp. 53−66). USA: Oxford University Press.

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