| Air pollution - statistics or scare tactics? |
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| Monday, 03 December 2007 21:15 | |
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The Centre has received this message from the Association of Independent Researchers (AIR), of Christchurch, who are skeptical of the claims made about air pollution and premature deaths. The Centre provided some material for this TV3 programme and I would have been interviewed if I had been in NZ at the time. There is good reason to be skeptical. The latest report which talks of 1100 premature deaths also provides a "cost" of these premature events. However, when you read the report the authors acknowledge they have no idea how "premature" these deaths really are – they could be a minute, a week or a month, or whatever! But the report then goes on to give an actual cost to the country in spite of the obvious ignorance of the actual timing. We need a much more robust process to test these scientific reports before they are allowed to influence policy. AIR are challenging the application of the air standards set for Christchurch in the Environment Court. That will be an interesting case. "If you can watch or record TV3's "60 Minutes" program this evening, Monday 3 December 7.30-8.30 pm our point of view may get a mention. The announcement ["The Press", page C1] says: "AIR POLLUTION KILLS 1100 KIWIS EVERY YEAR. STATISTIC OR SCARE TACTIC?" Regards, John Hoare, Secretary. Association of Independent Researchers." Set your timers now. |
