b'words: Keri Bridgwater going greenpictures: courtesy ofFireplace The cleaningupouract Home heating has become a primary source ofinmany urban air pollution areas. One ofnew national environmental standards that came into force the last October looks set to change all that. Despite a low population density and close proximity toemissions. They are the result of studies into the effectsVolatile organic the sea, there aremore than28urban centres acrossof dioxins and other toxins, investigations of outdoor aircompounds (VOCs) in paint can affect Newthatlevels ofquality inurban areas, and the design of woodburners.your indoor air Zealandshow unacceptableair pollution. Due to growing concerns regarding poor air quality inLocal councils are now obligedto monitor andpubliclyquality. Look forICM/ voe emission paints anumberoftheseregions,lastOctobersawthereport on air quality if pre-set levels are exceeded.from the Resene implementation of a government-approved environmentalEnvironmental One key area to be targeted in rectifying the issue is theChoice range. standard designed to address the problem. Basically, thereuseof openfiresandwoodburners.Thegovernment are now parts of the country where it isillegal to installaims instead to encourage homeowners to consider more open fires or non-compliant woodburners in order to heatenvironmentally sound heating options. your home. FromSeptember this year,a reviseddesign standard for Basedoncomprehensiveconsultation,researchandnew woodburners will comeinto effect,thetimingof scientificevidence,thestandardsrequirecouncilsandwhich should allow an adequate transition period for those communities to work together to helpreduce fireplace habitat51'