Board seeking gas heater ban
The health board is recommending a ban on the sale and use of unflued gas heaters after concerns about their health impacts, particularly for vulnerable people.
A report presented to members of the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board (NMDHB) on Tuesday highlighted the impact of unflued gas heaters which include LPG cabinet heaters.
Groups such as the elderly, infants, asthmatics, those with respiratory illnesses and pregnant women were particularly vulnerable.
The report said studies of unflued gas heaters showed concentrations of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and formaldehyde regularly exceeded health standards indoors.
Reported health effects included worsening respiratory conditions such as asthma and coughing, increased rates of fevers, headaches, reduced lung function in later life and increased rates of hospital admissions.
The board adopted the position statement in the report, including advocating for the ban on the sale and use of unflued gas heaters. It was part of a suite of recommendations to improve health through better home heating education and insulation. The recommendations are part of a South Island initiative which has also been adopted by Canterbury District Health Board.
Low socio-economic demographics, Maori and Pacific peoples were also found to be at risk of poor health related to cold housing and air quality due to greater exposure and susceptibility.
NMDHB chief medical officer Nick Baker said the public had a right to know the impact of gas heaters on their health and retailers had a responsibility to stop selling them.
Poor air quality was the ‘‘biggest killer’’ of older citizens with cardiovascular diseases and caused respiratory illnesses among children.
‘‘As a board we believe these heaters have no place in residential homes. The humidity, the offset of nitrogen and mould generated is what’s come up as being very hazardous in terms of health.
‘‘At this time of year we are admitting three to four children a day with respiratory illness. That’s obviously the tip of the iceberg.
‘‘A little wheezy four-month-old is trying to keep warm in a house, has got a blocked nose, they’ve got a cold and they’re breathing air that’s polluted by a gas heater.’’
Board member Gerald Hope said its push for rental property Warrant of Fitness assessments for heating and insulation was a positive step for the region and its people currently living in ‘‘substandard homes’’.
‘‘Unflued gas heaters have been a problem for a long time ... these are the type of things communities need to hear about,’’ he said. ‘‘If it was my choice, I would ban them and say well ‘that’s the bottom line’ because you’re not doing anybody any favours buying that. Certainly a 1000 watt heater with an insulated house, and drapes, and coverings on the floor would be better.’’
Hope said he felt there was a duty for the board to inform suppliers unflued heaters was not a satisfactory product for the public heating an indoor dwelling. ‘‘We don’t need to shame suppliers, we need to inform them.’’
Board member Brigid Forrest said education around the proper ventilation of properties should be a focus as it was vital residents understood the importance of access to fresh air during winter months for good health.