KEY POINTS:
Air pollution is a billion-dollar killer claiming nearly 1100 lives in New Zealand each year, a new report says.
The four-year study, by more than 20 leading science and health experts in New Zealand and Australia, found one in 20 people die earlier than they would have because of air pollution. In greater Auckland, the figure is 1 in 16.
It blames open fireplaces in homes and dirty fumes from vehicle exhausts and factories for the toll.
But the report also warns that smaller cities too have dirty air.
"Air pollution levels are quite high in places like Taumarunui, Timaru, Rotorua and Tokoroa," said a lead author, environmental science consultant Gavin Fisher.
The study showed the most significant pollutant came from inefficient fuel burning that can aggravate or cause respiratory problems.
The $1 million study, which took in 67 urban areas covering 73 per cent of the country's population, found cities with a strong reliance on wood burners had among the worst air pollution.
Topping the list were Nelson, Alexandra and central Christchurch. Smaller towns like Alexandra, Rotorua and Tokoroa, where air quality measurements have never been previously taken, breached Ministry for the Environment standards because of wood burning, said Mr Fisher.
"They're uncomfortably high ... They don't meet the standards and they have little chance of being able to meet the standards."
Particulate emissions should not exceed 50 micrograms per cubic metre of air over a 24-hour period, in line with World Health Organisation standards. Councils are allowed to breach the threshold once a year until 2013, when harsh penalties come into force.
Last year, Christchurch breached the threshold 32 times between May and September, with the highest reading 183mcg - nearly four times the limit.
Auckland recorded six breaches last year. While its fleet of 750,000 vehicles is the biggest year-round polluter, domestic fires contribute 64 per cent of the region's winter fine-particulate emissions.
The study found air pollution associated with 1079 cases of premature deaths. Most were associated with fine-particulate emissions. Carbon monoxide was linked with 178 cases.
Mr Fisher said pollution increased the national base mortality rate by 4.8 per cent, implying that nationally one in 20 people died earlier than they would have because of air pollution.
In Christchurch, that could be as high as 1 in 9 people.
The report estimates the total cost of air pollution to be $1.139 billion a year.
Environment Minister David Benson-Pope, whose ministry helped to fund the study, "Health and air pollution in New Zealand", called on local councils to start implementing the national air-quality standards introduced in 2004.
"We are repeatedly seeing the damage air pollution does to human health, society and the economy. These effects are felt throughout the country, from towns such as Timaru to cities such as Auckland."
The Government has introduced measures to reduce vehicle emissions, such as a visible-smoke check as part of the warrant or certificate of fitness test, and new fuel specifications. Strict standards on new woodburners also are being enforced.
