Air Pollution from Transport

In general, in Christchurch as a whole, vehicles are not a major source of air pollution. However, along busy roads such as Riccarton Rd in Christchurch, the concentrations of air pollutants may be high at times. Poorly tuned vehicles can also create smoke (and sometimes odour) nuisance.

The main emissions from vehicles include suspended particulate (PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ozone.

The ministry for the Environment has set National Environmental Standards (NES) leaving Ecan's website icon for all of these pollutants. The standard can only be breached once a year by 2013. Another way of saying that is that the second highest concentration each year has to be lower than the NES.

Where Do We Monitor Air Pollution From Vehicles?

From July 2006 a permanent roadside monitoring site is operating in Christchurch on Riccarton Rd., close to the Westfield Mall. This monitoring site will give us a better idea how much pollution is generated by vehicles, and how this will change with time. In the past we have also monitored emissions from vehicles along Papanui Rd. Roadside monitoring equipment is also rotated among other Canterbury towns.

Photo of Air Pollution Monitoring Equipment
Air Pollution Monitoring Equipment

Monitoring data indicate that all but the PM10 concentrations are usually well below the NES. The PM10 standard is breached at this roadside monitoring station but the concentrations are much lower than at the domestic emissions monitoring station in St Albans. It is estimated that in Christchurch 10% of PM10 pollution is caused by vehicles. In other towns around Canterbury this percentage is much lower.

You can find the full data on emissions in the annual air quality monitoring reports.

Estimates of the amount of pollution discharged into the air from motor vehicles can be found in the emissions inventory reports.

How Can You Help?

Although concentrations do not exceed the NES at this stage, transport is growing continuously and it is a good idea to reduce transport and use smarter transport options where possible.

Find out more about smarter transport options here. leaving Ecan's website icon

Rules Applying to Air Pollution from Vehicles

The following rule applies to all vehicles in New Zealand:

You cannot operate a vehicle producing excessive visible exhaust smoke for a sustained period longer than 10 seconds (enforced by the Police and part of every WOF).