Glossary and Abbreviations

Ambient air

The air outside buildings and structures. This does not refer to indoor air, air in the workplace, or contaminated air discharged from a source.

Critical level

The concentration in ambient air above which adverse effects may occur to vegetation.

Critical load

An exposure, in the form of deposition, to one or more pollutants, below which significant harmful effects on specified sensitive elements of the environment do not occur according to present knowledge.

Dispersion modelling

A computer modelling technique used to predict downwind concentrations of air contaminants from a known discharge rate, height and temperature.

Emission

The discharge of contaminants into the air.

Guideline value

Aconcentration value, and averaging period over which it applies, for assessing and managing ambient air quality.

Hui

Gathering to speak and share ideas and thoughts.

Indicator

A contaminant that can be used as an indicator of other contaminants.

Kainga

Home area, including dwelling and gardens.

Kaitiakitanga

Means the exercise of guardianship; and, in relation to a resource includes the ethic of stewardship based on the nature of the resource itself (section 2 RMA).

Mahinga kai

Food gathering, processing or preparation site.

Marae

Significant gathering area of whanua, hapu or Iwi-connected usually with an Ancestor

Maximum Design Concentration

A value specifying a concentration and averaging time that is used to assess the results of atmospheric dispersion modelling.

Percentile

A statistical value that represents a distribution of data - in this case of ambient air concentrations. For example, the 99.9 percentile represents the ninth-highest result from a years worth of one-hour monitoring data.

Reduction strategy

One or more measures implemented through: regional air plans, policy statements, education programmes, incentive schemes, national regulations or national policies, to reduce emissions and manage air quality.

Reduction target

A percentage reduction in emissions required from different sources to achieve a guideline value or regional criteria.

Regional criteria

Region- or air shed-specific, concentration-based criteria specified in regional air quality plans or policy statements.

Rohe

Geographical boundary and the land, features and people within it.

Target date

Date by which a council or other agency aims to achieve a specific regional criterion or guideline value.

Taonga

Prized possession, treasure.

Waahi tapu

Sacred or significant site applying to various types of area. Iwi determines the use of the word.

ANZECC

Australia and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council

BaP

Benzo(a)pyrene

C₄H₆

1,3 Butadiene

C₆H₆

Benzene

CARB

Californian Air Resources Board

CNS

Central nervous system

CO

Carbon monoxide

COHb

Carboxyhaemoglobin

COPD

Cardio-pulmonary obstructive disease

Cr

Chromium

EECA

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority

EPAQS

Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards (UK)

EPI

Environmental Performance Indicator

ERMA

Environmental Risk Management Authority

FEV₁

Forced expiratory volume in one second

H₂S

Hydrogen sulphide

Hb

Haemoglobin

HCHO

Formaldehyde

HSNO

Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996

IARC

International Agency for Research on Cancer

LOAEL

Lowest observable adverse effects level

NO

Nitric oxide

NO₂

Nitrogen dioxide

NOx

Oxides of nitrogen

O₂

Oxygen

O₃

Ozone

PAH

Polyaromatic hydrocarbon

PM_2.5

Particulate matter with diameter less than 2.5 µgm^-3

PM₁₀

Particulate matter with diameter less than 10 µgm^-3

REL

Reference exposure level

RfC

Reference concentration

RfD

Reference dose

RMA

Resource Management Act 1991

SO₂

Sulphur dioxide

UNECE

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

US EPA

United States Environmental Protection Agency

VFECS

Vehicle Fleet Emission Control Strategy

WHO

World Health Organization