Pacific

Pollution woes near New Caledonia power plant

16:15 pm on 14 October 2016

Reports from New Caledonia say in recent days air pollution has been spiking near the SLN nickel plant in Noumea.

High level of pollution measured near old power plant Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

An air quality control organisation Scal-Air says sulphur-dioxide levels have been elevated because of unfavourable winds and the continued operation of a diesel-powered electrictry station.

The SLN smelter relies on the power plant which is due to be replaced by 2021 with a gas-powered facility.

The reports said the pollution levels didn't require triggering an alert.

However, people in the plant's vicinity complained of health problems.