Tis a common proof,

That lowliness is young ambition's ladder

Whereto the climber-upward turns his face:

But when he once attains the upmost round,
He then looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees,
By which he did ascend.

Julius Caesar.  Act II Scene I

Manukau City Council

ARM and MCC share many of the same clients. For a number of years we enjoyed working with Ruth Young of the MCC who died last year after a long illness. It is sad to record this event, but we are happy to remember a successful working relationship with her.

We welcome Trish Myer as our contact with the MCC.

New Test

Many of our clients have wood chip driers. It is common to experience blue haze problems (sub-micron particulate) and odour problems from these driers.

We have developed a simple ambient air quality test which determines a-and b-pinenes. This has the following advantages:

•   results as specific compound concentrations

•   increased sensitivity (more than formaldehyde)

•   more economical

•    less toxic testing materials

•   specific to the odour and blue haze problems

•   suitable for boundary/downwind/highly sensitive sites

Staff Changes

Andrew Parkin has resigned to pursue a course of full-time study at the University of Auckland and Carol McSweenev and Malcolm Graham have joined the staff.  Carol has a B.Sc, and a Diploma in Environmental Management from the University of Auckland. For the last six years she has been involved with market research. We welcome her to ARM.  Malcolm is a good keen man who is also welcome. He joins as a technician.  Andrew leaves a big gap. He has been a mainstay at ARM for eight years showing commendable initiative as he became experienced in stack testing. We wish him well in his future vocation.  Fortunately Andrew will be available
to ARM on a temporary basis during the University vacations.

Revised Ambient Air Quality Guidelines

The Ministry for the Environment has produced a discussion document, which is now open for submissions. ARM has a particular interest in a proposed new formaldehyde guideline, reduced from lOOug/m3 in the existing guidelines to I5 ug/m³ in the new Guidelines. We regard this lower figure as much too low and unjustified. We shall be submitting our objection to MfE.

Clean Air Society Air Pollution Measurement Course

Carol attended this course, held in Melbourne from 19 to 21 February. There was a lot of interest from members, and a good attendance from NZ.

 Of special interest was the debate around the difficulties of measuring dioxins and furans. The Australian Environmental Protection Authority is looking to have a national standard for these pollutants so the ability to monitor them becomes an issue. There was plenty of information on approaches to sampling and testing, some new ideas as well as the old faithfuls. Australia and New Zealand use the same standard methods for sampling and analysing, so it is always useful to have the experts from across the Tasman to share ideas with.

One of the field trips was to Melbourne's newly completed Burnley Tunnel (part of the new toll managed freeway) to look at air pollution controls and testing equipment. The tunnel developed a leak while we were there, and so had to be closed to traffic.  Good for our trip as we managed to view the complete inner workings of the control measures but not so good for Melbourne traffic or the toll collectors.

In-Situ Stack Monitors

Light extinction monitors have been marketed for many years for in-stack full-time pariculate monitoring. These monitors, especially if attached to an alarm in the control room, serve well as immediate detectors of problems.

However, as with any instrument, caution is needed in their choice and calibration.  Three types exist, namely:

•   Light transmission

•   Light absorption

•   Light scattering

The light scattering principle is the most satisfactory for correlation with a particulate concentration limit. ARM is often asked to calibrate these monitors with little success. These are the problems:

•   Our readings are time-averaged over e.g. 30 minutes.

•   We can calibrate to one set point only, unless a number of determinations are made under artificial operating conditions.

•    Particulates emitted are of variable quality.

Another type of monitor available is the Triboflow unit, using a principle of current attenuation proportional to particulate concentration. These we find function best when used at low concentrations with a "pure" (e.g. quartz) particulate.