Auckland Air Quality in Childhood Centres

The Auckland region has over 100,000 children aged four and under. Around 40,000 of them are in early childhood centres for an average of 21 hours per week. As their lungs are still developing, children are often more susceptible to health risks caused by airborne pollutants.

The Auckland regional public health service (ARPHS) performs pre-licensing health and safety checks on childcare centres. If for any reason they believe that there is potential for poor air quality, the Ministry of Education is alerted.

Air Quality Testing by K2

K2 has successfully completed several air quality testing projects for prospective child care centres around the Auckland region.

Each site is assessed on an individual basis. The key pollutants we often test for on new childcare sites include:

• Fine particulate (PM₁₀ )
• Carbon monoxide (CO)
• Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)
• Ozone (O₃)
• Sulphur dioxide (SO₂)
• Benzene (C6H6)
• Other volatile organic compounds (VOC)

Other common pollutants include:

• Formaldehyde – this can be released by a variety of building materials, particularly new imported products, such as furniture
• Biological contaminants (mould and bacteria) – if there has been a water leak, or there is high humidity, mould may be a problem

When is Air Quality Testing Needed?

The ARPHS has developed a set of criteria to help identify locations that potentially have poor air quality.

Air quality testing may be required at proposed sites of new child care centres in Auckland that meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Within 300m of an industrial zone
• Within 150m of a motorway or truck route
• Within 100m of a petrol station
• Within 60m of a main district road
• Inside an enclosed car park, e.g. parking buildings

Indications of Air Quality Issues

There are many other reasons that air testing is vital to ensure a healthy environment. If any of the following symptoms are being noticed, there may be an air quality issue.

• Dryness and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Hypersensitivity and allergies
• Sinus congestion
• Coughing and sneezing
• Dizziness
• Nausea