Christchurch recorded five high-pollution nights in succession last week.

Last week's pollution took the number of high-pollution nights for the year to 16.

Environment Canterbury blamed last week's clear, cold weather for pushing air-pollution levels over the health guidelines on those days.

ECan air portfolio director Katherine Trought said the numbers of high-pollution nights this winter were "concerning" as research showed there was no safe level of air pollution.

"Because of the impact air pollution has on health and the national standards that have been set, we are determined to work with the community to achieve Canterbury's low-pollution goals by 2016 and 2020.''

She said ECan was working with the community to understand the role home heating had in air pollution in order to be able to meet the Government's targets.

"Even newer logburners, when not operated correctly, contribute to pollution levels and so we're encouraging people to find out how to burn better," she said.

"In Christchurch, we know that keeping warm this winter is important for earthquake-affected people waiting for repairs or needing to have their home rebuilt, so we are encouraging people to keep warm even if that means using a non-complying, older  woodburner."

An Environment Ministry national standard recorded air pollution as high when the daily concentration was greater than 50 micrograms per cubic metre of air.

The Government's set target is for no more than three days of high pollution by  September 2016 and only one by  September 2020.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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