Page content section :
Environmental health
Air pollution and air quality : A short guide to air quality
Why
do we measure air quality?
Local authorities are required by law to review and assess air quality within their areas on a regular basis. A review means that air pollution is measured and future levels estimated. An assessment means that these estimated levels are compared against air quality objectives to see if the acceptable standard will be exceeded.
Why should we be concerned about air quality?
The main reason for tackling poor air quality is the links between air quality and quality of life and the need to minimise the risk of poor air quality to human health.
What are the risks to health?
Large short-term increases in some pollutants have been associated with increased deaths, mainly by affecting people with existing respiratory conditions. There have been none of these types of short-term increase in pollutants within the Adur District. The long-term risks are largely unquantified but the air quality objectives are set to minimise the risk of adverse health effects due to long-term exposure.
What levels of pollutant are we concerned about?
The Government has set objectives for seven types of pollutant as indicators of general air quality. Only one of these objectives, for nitrogen dioxide, is likely to be exceeded in two areas of the Adur District. The objective for nitrogen dioxide is an annual average of 40 µg/m3. The estimated levels in the High Street, Shoreham and Old Shoreham Road, Southwick is between 42 - 46 µg/m3.
How do we know there haven't been any short-term increases?
Adur District Council measures nitrogen dioxide using a network of diffusion tubes, which give monthly readings. None of these monthly readings have exceeded the 60 µg/m3 level, which would have indicated an acute pollution problem.
What is the cause of the pollution?
In both the areas, the problem has arisen due to the number of vehicles using the roads, combined with the stop/start nature of the driving conditions. Although these conditions may also occur in other parts of the district, we are only concerned where there is 'relevant exposure' i.e. people are living within a certain distance of the road.
What is the Council doing about the problem?
The Environmental Health department is currently working on designating two Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) as required by law. We are then required to work on an Action Plan to work towards reducing levels of nitrogen dioxide in these areas. As part of this action plan, we will be consulting with West Sussex County Council and other interested parties and we would also wish to hear from members of the public who may have ideas as to how we could achieve our objective.
Where can I find out more?
You can view the full reports on air quality in Adur on the main air pollution and air quality webpage and there is also lots of information on air quality and current levels of pollution in your area on the Sussex Air Quality Steering Group website (see related external websites).
<<< Go back to main air pollution and air quality webpage
