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Many whanau living near motorways in South Auckland feel the pollution is affecting their health.
A study by University of Canterbury researchers and residents into air quality in two city communities in the city found concentrations of ultrafine particles, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and particulate matter.
Co-author Professor Simon Kingham says as well as looking at air quality, they asked people about the pros and cons of living next to motorways that carry up to 122,000 vehicles a day.
He says people are concerned about their own health and health of children and older people, particularly about conditions such as asthma.
"A number of people who lived quite close to the motorway both in Otahuhu and Mangere perceive it's affecting them. They feel it's a negative thing in their life, not everyone, but a significant number of the people who we surveyed did," Professor Kingham says.
He says Auckland is not heavily polluted by world standards, but there is still a need to reduce exposure levels and perhaps create a larger buffer zone between motorways and homes, retirement villages, social housing projects and schools and childcare centres.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW BY SIMON KINGHAM CLICK ON THE LINK
http://www.waateanews.com/play_podcast?podlink=MjU4MTE=
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