KEY POINTS:
Slamming the door and staying inside will not protect you from the effects of air pollution, according to new research.
Christchurch-based researchers working for Otago University found that contrary to popular belief, indoors is just as polluted as outdoors.
"Essentially pollution reaches people's lungs even if they stay inside on high pollution days," said lead researcher Michael Epton.
"There is no escape from wood smoke pollution, particularly in older wooden houses during winter temperature inversions in Christchurch, or anywhere else."
Dr Epton and his team studied the effects of air pollution on 93 boarders at Christchurch's Christ's College.
Each boy measured his lung function morning and evening throughout the winter, and the 26 asthma sufferers noted the use of their reliever.
The team concluded that serious air pollution in the city did have an impact on the respiratory health of young people, particularly those with asthma, but the immediate effect was not too serious.
"Although the health impact isn't great, there were small decreases in lung function during very high pollution days for boys with asthma," Dr Epton said.
The study did not take into account the long-term cumulative effects of air pollution in the city.
Among other findings, the researchers proved that exposure to wood smoke pollution could be directly measured in urine.
"This is the first time that this urine test has been used to detect exposure to wood-smoke pollution in New Zealand," Dr Epton said.
This test could be used as a "biomarker" in the future for exposure to significant wood smoke, as exists in Christchurch, he said.
- NZPA
