Clearing the air on pollution problems

Whakarewarewa Thermal Village is hosting 25 scientists from 15 countries at a meeting to discuss air pollution and how it can be managed. Photo / Supplied

Rotorua's Whakarewarewa Thermal Village is hosting 25 scientists from 15 Asia-Pacific countries in an effort to pool their resources in terms of air pollution science.

The scientists will be here until Friday at a meeting organised under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to finalise a report on fine particle air pollution they have been studying in their countries for the past 10 years.

IAEA programme lead country co-ordinator and New Zealand national project counterpart Andreas Markwitz, from GNS Science, said the scientists would compare analysis results from their countries and share knowledge about the sources of tiny particles in the air that could cause adverse health effects.

Dr Markwitz said each country had been characterising its air pollution to identify sources in order to help pollution managers and regional councils decide where best to put their dollars to mitigate problems.

"This is a unique programme in the region. The data acquired by the programme will be used for many years to come. The database is available globally for researchers in New Zealand and the rest of the world.

"Each country has its own unique pollution problems that are being addressed with Rotorua having been identified as the most polluted city in New Zealand's North Island in winter."

Whakarewarewa Village is part of the cultural heritage aspect of the international programme and works with GNS Science.

An air sampler is currently operating within the village and will determine not only the concentration of pollutants but also identify their major sources. Whakarewarewa Village chief executive Blair Millar said it was an honour to host the meeting and its international delegates.