Air quality
Over-exposure to air pollution can be a health risk, so under the
1995 Environment Act the government introduced a national 'Air
Quality Strategy', which all local authorities have to comply with.
This involves carrying out reviews and assessments of the air
quality in their area and comparing the results to air quality
objectives.
Air quality objectives are health-based and so the focus of each
review is the exposure of members of the public to potential
excessive amounts of pollution to ensure they're not at risk.
If an area within the authority was identified as being at risk of
exceeding an air quality objective, the District Council must
declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and action would need
to be taken to reduce the air pollution in that area.
> Get an
up-to-date air pollution report for the north west
Main air pollutants
The main air pollutants of concern are:
· nitrogen dioxide - associated with vehicle exhausts, combustion
processes and some industrial processes
· sulphur dioxide - mostly from the combustion of oil and solid
fuel, but also from diesel vehicles
· carbon monoxide - from vehicle exhausts and poorly operated
boiler plant particles
· very fine particles emitted from vehicle exhausts, combustion
processes and industrial sources. Usually referred to as 'PM10' -
particles less than 10 microns in diameter. A micron is a
thousandth of a millimetre.
· Benzene - an organic chemical emitted in exhausts and also during
refuelling.
· 1,3 Butadiene - another organic chemical emitted in exhausts and
also from some industrial processes
· lead - mostly from leaded petrol
· ozone
Air quality in West Lancashire
Air quality assessments have recently been carried out for West
Lancashire and they show that the air quality is good.
> Download air quality report
Environmental Health Services section have been checking the area
for seven key pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, which can affect
health in the long or short term.
Following an 11 month investigation to ensure that the health of
residents was not being compromised the Council breezed through the
assessment. The results of studies across the whole District showed
that there were no problems with the air quality and no air quality
management areas need to be declared.
Air quality is still however an issue and the section will look at
and try to improve where possible.
Air quality links
Contact us
For more information please contact Andrew Hill, Environmental
Protection Manager on 01695 585243 or email: a.hill@westlancsdc.gov.uk
Related information: links to external
websites
> Air Quality
Archive
> Defra:
air pollution