Ralph,

The other main cause of these premature deaths is air pollution from traffic.  This can be dramatically reduced by fixing congestion in Auckland.  I have detailed the steps for the Transport CCO to take to reduce congestion within three years.  The interesting effect of this is that cars, buses and trucks are on the road for half the time.  That is reducing their air pollution by 50%.  But the engines also work at a higher speed than in congested traffic and research shows there is a 400% improvement in their efficiency.  So fixing congestion will ensure something like a 75% decrease in air pollution.  Bearing in mind that it is diesel buses and trucks that add the dangerous particulates into the air the measures will certainly assist.

As for domestic fires.  It is my understanding that there are regulations that are slowly ensuring that these fires improve their efficiencies through upgraded fire places.  Whether it is making sufficient reduction in air pollution I am not sure, but will follow it up to see where it is at at the moment.  As the air gets cleaner we notice any pollutants far more quickly.   I quite like the smell of wood fires, but the degree of pollution is also a factor as is the direction of the prevailing wind if it brings smoke all the time.   Some people may need time to change, but I believe there is some policing of home fires and it should be investigated in the different areas.

Regards

Hugh Chapman

go for he eco city approach