What is air pollution?
Air is essential to life, and pollution of our air is detrimental to our health. Polluted air contains substances which have harmful effects on the environment or on our health. Air pollution can be as obvious as diesel fumes, bonfire smoke, or cigarette smoke. However, many pollutants cannot be seen or smelt.
What does it mean for my health?
Air pollution affects us all and can result in acute and chronic health effects. Certain groups of people, are more susceptible to adverse effects from air pollution, namely:
- Young children
- Elderly
- Respiratory ailment sufferers, eg asthma
- Persons undertaking rigorous exercise within polluted areas
The effect that pollutants can have on health also depends upon:
- The age and general health of persons exposed
- Nature of the pollutant(s)
- Concentration of the pollutant(s)
- Duration of exposure
- Level of activity being undertaken
For more information go to DEFRA website which is available in the related links section on this page.
What is Broxtowe Borough Council's role in improving air quality?
Standards and objectives have been set for the following eight pollutants within the UK.
- Benzene
- 1,3-butadiene
- Carbon monoxide
- Lead
- Nitrogen dioxide
- Ozone
- Particles (PM10)
- Sulphur dioxide
The Environment Act 1995 requires Local Authorities to review and assess air quality within their area. Air Quality standards were determined by the European Union, following consultation with an Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards. Should these standards not be met,in any part of the area, the Local Authority has a duty to declare an Air Quality Management Area. Following such a declaration an Action Plan must be drawn up to show practical strategies that Local Authorities can apply in order to improve the air quality.
Air Quality Reports
Following an Updating and Screening Assessment in 2003, it was recommended the Council undertake a detailed assessment for the pollutants nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and Particulates (PM10). This report is available from the related documents.
The detailed assessment concluded the Council should declare Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA's) for the pollutant nitrogen dioxide (NO2) where relevant exposure existed due to a marginal exceedence. However, predicted modelling for 2010 predicted the air quality objectives would be met prior to 2010 without any active intervention.
The Detailed Assessment (2005) is available in the related documents on this page.
Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA's)
On 1 February 2006, the Council formally declared the following areas along the M1 corridor as AQMA's. A map of the 4 AQMA's and an overview map showing their location can be found in the related documents on this page.
Following declaration, the Council was required to produce an Action Plan to 'manage' the air quality.
In line with its statutory duty, the Council has developed a draft action plan to combat the exceedence of NO2 within the AQMA's. The report has identified the primary source of NO2 is from vehicle emission utilising the M1 and therefore the Council has focused the Action Plan to encompass this.
The Highways Agency is the operator of the trunk roads and it is therefore essential that the Council continue to liaise with them with regards to any current or future plans for the M1 within its district to ensure the reductions required are achieved.
The Air Quality Action Plan (2007) is available from the related media section on this page.
The Council takes the responsibility of air quality seriously and have identified a number of actions the Council will take to ensure the air quality standards will be met. A summary of actions identified by the Council to improve air quality can be seen in Chapter 12 of the Air Quality Action Plan.
Should you wish to comment on any issues or options discussed throughout the action plan, please use the contact details below.
Furthermore, the Council continues to review and assess the air quality within the borough to ensure the Air Quality Standards will be met. A copy of the 2006 Update and Screening Report and 2009 can be viewed in the related documents section on this page.
In addition the Council will continue to monitor and predict air quality levels for comparison with the national levels.
Further Information
For further information or assistance on Air Quality / Pollution, please e-mail the Environmental Health division using the related contacts on this page.
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