The Health and Air Pollution in New Zealand study, published in July 2007, shows that air pollution is associated with around 1,100 cases of premature mortality – that is people dying earlier than they would have if they had not been exposed to air pollution.

It is estimated that the effects from air pollution occur throughout New Zealand – not just in the main cities. The primary sources are home heating nationally, transport in Auckland, and industry.

Other illness caused by air pollution include:

around 1,500 extra cases of bronchitis and related illnesses

700 extra hospital admissions for respiratory and cardiac illnesses

1.9 million restricted activity days (days on which people cannot do the things they might otherwise have done if air pollution was not present).

The bulk of effects are associated with particulate pollution (PM10), but there are also effects associated with other pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds.

The total economic costs of air pollution in New Zealand (from both premature death and adverse health impacts) are estimated to be $1.14 billion per year or $421 per person.