Pollution Control - Air

 

 

 

We also deal with complaints regarding smoke nuisance, bonfires, odours, gas emissions etc.

Under The Environment Act 1995, the National Air Quality Strategy outlines recommended maximum levels of eight pollutants based on medical and scientific evidence. The Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards (EPAQS) has set these levels as indicators of general air quality and to protect people's health and the environment. The pollutants are:

 

Local Authorities are required by law to continually review air quality within their area in particular for these eight pollutants. This forms part of a periodic process of monitoring, data collection and predictive computer modelling known as "review and assessment". Annual reports must be prepared and submitted to the Government and where it is reported that any of the National Air Quality Objectives are likely to be breached the Council must declare an Air Quality Management Area and carry out more detailed assessments.

 

Air quality modelling techniques are used to predict trends in pollution levels by considering the effects of weather conditions, industrial emissions, traffic levels, vehicle types, etc. This is used to assess whether National Air Quality Objectives are likely to be exceeded. Where modelling predicts that there may be an exceedance this is confirmed by monitoring of the pollutant in question.

 

The most important pollutant for the Borough is nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) which is associated with road transport. NO₂ is a pollutant that is produced by all combustion processes involving fossil fuels. Locally, roads are the main source of this pollutant and hence it is of particular concern to people living close to busy routes.  At sufficiently high levels it is linked with the risk of decreased lung function and increased risk of respiratory problems, particularly in vulnerable groups such as children, the sick and the elderly. It may also exacerbate conditions for asthma sufferers.

 

The Objective level for NO₂ is an annual average of 40 micrograms per cubic metre of air. This objective is being exceeded in parts of the Borough and has led to Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council declaring two Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAS) in Nuneaton. They are in Abbey Green Nuneaton and the Leicester Road Gyratory in Nuneaton. The AQMA’s have been drawn up to include every premises that fronts onto the affected section of the identified roads. The annual mean air quality objective for nitrogen dioxide in AQMA1 has only marginal exceedance in 2009, whilst exceedance is predicted to continue in AQMA2 at a number of properties beyond 2012.

 

A second objective value for short term NO₂ requires that the hourly concentration does not exceed 200 micrograms per cubic metre of air on 18 occasions in a year. This value is not known to be exceeded in the Borough.

 

AQMA 1 - Leicester Rd Gyratory, Nuneaton

This covers part of the A47 referred to as the ‘Leicester Road Gyratory’. It is the one way system that includes parts of Weddington Road, Old Hinckley Road and Leicester Road Nuneaton.

 

AQMA2 - Midland Road to Corporation Street, Nuneaton

This covers parts of the B4114 route including Midland Road, Central Avenue, Corporation Street and the Manor Court Road junction.

 

Nitrogen dioxide is a gas which is produced when fossil fuels are burned. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide enhances the response to allergens in sensitive individuals such as those with asthma, bronchitis or respiratory disease. It may increase the prevalence of respiratory illnesses in children and is linked to the formation of other pollutants.

 

Environmental Health monitors for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels throughout the Borough using passive diffusion tubes and particularly in the Air Quality Management Areas using a continuous chemiluminescence analyser. This is the reference method for the monitoring of this type of pollutant in the EU. It is currently located at the roadside on Leicester Road near to Etone School and takes accurate NO₂ measurements over 15 minute intervals.

 

Diffusion tubes are used extensively for NO₂ to measure mean monthly and annual concentrations. These are small plastic tubes with a metal grid inside one end which is coated with a chemical called triethanolamine that absorbs the nitrogen dioxide. The tubes are exposed to air for a month then sealed and sent for analysis at an approved laboratory. Because of their low cost these tubes are used for wide spread assessment. There are over 40 of these tubes around The Borough on busy roads and road junctions. The monitoring sites have been chosen to validate the concentrations predicted by modelling for roadside positions and at the façades of properties. The results are used as the basis of our review and assessment process.

 

We have now prepared an Action Plan that will develop and implement measures that work towards future compliance with the NO₂ Objective at both AQMA locations.

 

Warwickshire County Council (WCC) is the local Highway Authority, and as such has had an important role in the actions proposed for the AQMAs in order to reduce road traffic emissions and achieve the necessary improvements in air quality.

 

You can View / Download Documents listed below, hard copies are also available to view on request.

 

 

Any comments or questions should be directed to:

Alison Cannon
Environmental Pollution

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council

Town Hall

Coton Road

Nuneaton

CV11 5AA

 

Tel: 024 7637 6335

Email: alison.cannon@nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk