Clean air is important for good health. We regulate industrial, commercial and domestic activities that emit pollution in order control and reduce air pollution.
Air Quality
Two local areas that remain as Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) are:
- Nottingham No2: City centre north, east and south (nitrogen dioxide), and
- Nottingham No.3: Dunkirk (nitrogen dioxide)
Where AQMAs are declared local authorities are required to devise and publish Action Plans.
Where AQMAs arise from road transport local authorities are encouraged to incorporate any Action Plans within the Local Transport Strategy. Nottingham City Council has done this and values a clean environment.
Pollutants measured by the AURN station
|
Pollutant |
Main Sources |
Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Benzene | Petrol combustion and distribution | Carcinogen |
| Sulphur Dioxide | Power generation, diesel combustion and industry | Irritates the airways of the lungs and can increase the symptoms of those suffering from lung disease |
| Ozone | By-product of chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen and other chemicals catalysed by sunlight | Irritates the airways of the lungs and can increase the symptoms of those suffering from lung disease. |
| Nitrogen Dioxide | Road transport, power generation and industrial combustion processes | Irritates the airways of the lungs and can increase the symptoms of those suffering from lung disease. |
| Particles/Particulates (PM2.5, PM10) | Road transport, power generation and industry | Fine particles cause lung inflammation and worsening of lung and heart conditions |
Nottingham City Council monitors oxides of nitrogen at Carter Gate and Lace Street and has a network of approximately 30 nitrogen dioxide diffusion tubes at sites in and around both AQMAs.
For more information, click here to see the Defra web page.