Air quality in Hastings twice exceeded national pollution standards over the weekend.
The average level of very small particles in the air over Hastings, measured at St John's College, was five and three micrograms per cubic metre of air above the acceptable level of 50mg on both Saturday and Sunday.
Air quality rules are set under the National Environmental Standards and allow up to an average of 50mg of PM10 (Particulate Matter smaller than 10 microns) over a 24-hour period.
Hawke's Bay Regional Council air quality scientist Dr Kathleen Kozyniak said a combination of cold weather, not much wind and poor heating choices caused the breaches.
The readings were bad for everyone's health, she said.