Chapter 7 - Air 7.0 Air 7.1 Introduction There is very little data on air quality for the Wairau/ Awatere part of the region. The general perception is that there is not an air pollution problem in Marlborough and that the atmospheric climate is typified by a high level of visual clarity. The relatively strong and high frequency of wind tends to disperse any effects of contaminants. Air quality concerns can be divided into three categories: global, local and nuisance. Discharge of certain contaminants can have global impacts. The most important of these to New Zealand are the discharge of ozone depleting substances and ‘greenhouse gases’. Both global warming and a depleted ozone layer have the potential to adversely affect the health and wellbeing of the people of the district. Ozone depletion can give rise to increased occurrence of skin cancers in animals and humans and affect plant growth. Global warming may make existing ecosystems unsustainable and cause sea level rise. Local contamination of the air occurs through a wide variety of discharges: • Smoke emission is a cause of winter smog conditions in Blenheim and other concentrated residential areas. This has associated health, odour, visual and amenity effects; • Emissions from the open burning of garden, household, farm and other waste may have localised effects on visibility, amenity values and enjoyment of an area. It may also release toxic or hazardous chemicals to the environment; • Emissions from industrial and trade processes include a wide range of activities and potential effects; • Spraying of pesticides may cause plant, animal and human health effects; • Odour is a localised issue associated with some particular land use activities such as some industrial and trade premises, infrastructure such as sewage management, and some agricultural activities. It may have considerable nuisance value associated with it; • Dust is generally a localised and temporary problem associated with a small range of activities; and • Vehicle emissions include particulates, aerosols, gases such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, and contaminants such as benzene. The Resource Management Act (the Act) divides the control of the discharges to air into two types. In the first category, discharges from industrial or trade premises are not permitted unless the discharge is expressly allowed by a rule in this Plan, resource consent, or regulations. In the second category, discharges from all other sources are allowed unless the discharge contravenes a rule in this Plan. The Act allows some existing discharges to continue. The rules in this Plan aim to allow a range of activities to continue, while ensuring that any adverse effects on air quality are avoided, remedied or mitigated. However, discharges from vessels, motor vehicles and trains are not managed by the content of this Plan. Like global issues, these discharges need to be addressed as national issues. 7 - 1