Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand is working with other
agencies to assess the public health impacts of dust
generated from aiborne silt in Hawke’s Bay.
Medical
Officer of Health Dr Bridget Wilson says until more is known
from air quality monitoring in affected regions, it is
important for people to take precautions during times when
dust is a significant issue.
“This is particularly
important for the elderly, very young and people with heart
or lung conditions.”
People can take measures to
reduce the amount of dust they breathe in, she
says.
“When outside in dusty areas wear a
well-fitting mask (N95/P2) and eye protection, avoid
exercising outside, and wash your hands and clothes after
being in contact with large quantities of silt. When
conditions are very dusty due to high winds stay indoors if
possible and close windows.
If you are cleaning up
dust inside homes or cars, it is important to do so by
wiping down surfaces or vacuuming rather than sweeping which
can resuspend dust.”
Dr Wilson says people worried
about their symptoms should contact their doctor or
Healthline on 0800 611 116.
Te Whatu Ora continues to
work with NIWA and Environmental Science and Research (ESR)
to better understand any potential health impacts related to
reduced air quality.
“The silt testing programme as
part of the Hawke’s Bay Silt Recovery Taskforce (a joint
partnership between Hastings District Council and Hawke’s
Bay Regional Council) has reassuringly indicated that the
likelihood of significant contamination of the silt by heavy
metals, herbicides, and pesticides is likely to be very
low.
“However, the dust itself can still be very
irritating to the eyes and upper airways, and for those with
underlying heart or lung conditions, like asthma, can worsen
their symptoms,” Dr Wilson says.
Te Whatu Ora is
continuing to conduct routine surveillance for any increase
in respiratory admissions and has not seen a significant
increase in respiratory presentations to
date.
Regional Council Policy and Regulation Group
Manager Katrina Brunton encourages the community to be
cautious of operating heavy machinery on windy
days.
“If you see heavy machinery being used which
is generating significant dust, please report to our
pollution hotline on 0800 108 838.”
An interagency
group is working together to measure and minimise risk from
the increased dust circulating in the air.
The group
is aware of the level of concern among communities following
the dry windy weather over the weekend which generated dust
from the silt deposited during Cyclone
Gabrielle.
Representatives from Te Whatu Ora –
Health New Zealand, the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, the
Silt Recovery Taskforce, National Institute of Water and
Atmosphere (NIWA), WorkSafe and other local councils are
co-ordinating their approach to monitor and address the dust
when
possible.