Local Air Quality Management
In 1995 the Government published its strategic policy framework
for air quality management that culminated in the Environment Act
1995. As a requirement of the Environment Act the Secretary of
State published the first National Air Quality Strategy in 1997
which established a framework for securing improvements in air
quality in the UK.
Clean air is an essential ingredient of a good quality of life
and the overall aim of the Strategy is to minimise the risk of poor
air quality to human health. At the heart of the Strategy are the
air quality standards or objectives for 7 common pollutants that
can cause harm to human health. These occur widely throughout
the UK, mainly because of the prevalence of industry and motor
vehicles.
The national air quality objectives are shown in the table
below.
| Pollutant |
Concentration |
Measured
as |
Date to be
achieved by |
|
Benzene
|
16.25 mg/m3 |
Running Annual Mean |
31.12.2003 |
| |
5.00 mg/m3 |
Annual Mean |
31.12.2010 |
| 1,3 Butadiene |
2.25 mg/m3 |
Running Annual Mean |
31.12.2003 |
| Carbon Monoxide |
10.0 mg/m3 |
Maximum Daily 8 hour Mean
|
31.12.2003 |
| Lead |
0.5 mg/m3 |
Annual Mean |
31.12.2004 |
| Nitrogen
Dioxide |
200 mg/m3 not to be exceeded more than 18
times a year
|
1 Hour Mean |
31.12.2005 |
| |
40 mg/m3 |
Annual Mean |
31.12.2005 |
| Particles (PM10) (gravimetric) |
50 mg/m3 not to be exceeded more than 35 times a
year |
24 Hour Mean |
31.12.2004 |
| |
40 mg/m3 |
Annual Mean |
31.12.2004 |
| Sulphur Dioxide |
350 mg/m3 not to be exceeded more than 24 times a
year |
1 Hour Mean |
31.12.2004 |
| |
125 mg/m3 not to be exceeded more than 3 times
a year |
24 Hour Mean |
31.12.2004 |
| |
266 mg/m3 not to be exceeded more than 35 times a
year |
15 Minute Mean |
31.12.2005 |
All Local Authorities have a legal duty to periodically review
and assess the current and likely future air quality in their area
against these air quality standards and objectives. The purpose of
the assessment process is to identify areas within the Local
Authority where the above air quality objectives are likely to be
achieved.
Since Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council began it’s assessment of
air quality, although a detailed assessment has been undertaken, it
has been found that it is likely that the above objectives will be
achieved, therefore it has not been necessary to declare any air
quality management areas and prepare the associated action
plans.
The reports produced by the Environmental Protection Section as
part of the on-going review and assessment of air quality in the
Borough can be found below in pdf format.
Any enquires about the above reports should be addressed
to:-
Environmental Protection Section,
Environmental Health Department,
Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council,
Town Hall ,
Duke Street,
Barrow-in-Furness,
Cumbria LA14 2LD.
Telephone 01229-876543
Fax 01229-876411