Science Centres: Energy

Improving air quality monitoring

Array of PM₁₀ monitoring instruments - St. Albans, Christchurch (Photo courtesy of Ecan & University of Canterbury).

Over 40 people attended a workshop at NIWA’s Christchurch office last month to discuss technical issues in monitoring potentially dangerous fine particles (PM₁₀) in the air.

The National Environmental Standards for air quality, which came into effect on 1 September 2005, require regional councils to monitor PM₁₀ levels in certain areas where the standard is likely to be breached.

The workshop included an address by Australian expert Melita Keywood of CSIRO and discussion of monitoring methods, enhancing monitoring networks, particulate matter composition, small particles, natural levels of particulate pollution, and measuring particle numbers.

The workshop was funded by the Foundation for Research, Science & Technology as part of a programme which aims to help resource managers and resource users meet the requirements of the National Environmental Standards as effectively as possible.