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What is air pollution?
Air pollution is the contamination of air by harmful gases, dust and smoke. Many of the causes of air pollution such as burning of fossil fuels, also cause greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to climate change, and our air quality is closely linked with the earth’s climate and the health of its ecosystems.
Pollutants of major concern include NOX (Nitrogen oxides), particulate matter, Ozone and Sulphur dioxide, and the main causes are vehicle emissions, burning of fossil fuels for heating, and manufacturing and agricultural operations.
How does it affect us and our environment?
Air pollution contaminates our environment and damages our health, causing respiratory and other health problems, such as strokes, asthma and heart attacks. It can also negatively affect children’s health by affecting the brains development, contributing to behavioural and mental health issues; and often the poorest in society are the most affected.
Air pollution can also damage our trees and crops causing reduced yields, and by reducing resilience to pest and diseases as well as other stresses such as extreme weather.
What does the legislation say?
The Environment Act 1995 sets out a requirement for local authorities to undertake regular reviews of air quality in their area. If pollution levels exceed set thresholds in part of the local authority area there is a requirement to establish Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs). In Lincolnshire there are three AQMAs – at Boston, Grantham and Lincoln. In these zones the relevant air pollutants are monitored and the Council will produce a Local Air Quality Action Plan, which sets out monitored pollution levels and actions for reducing the pollution levels.
A link to the Boston LAQAP can be found here: https://www.boston.gov.uk/article/21218/Air-Quality-in-Boston
The Environment Act 2021 established new regulations relating to the air pollutant of most harm to health - fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The Environmental Targets (fine particulate matter) (England) Regulations 2023 set two PM2.5 targets to be met by 2040, these require that:
The average annual concentration of fine particulate matter is 10 micrograms per metre cubed (10μg m3) or lower.
That the population exposure to fine particulate matter is reduced by 35% compared to 2018 levels.
As part of meeting the Environment Act 2021 targets the Government will be bringing forward monitoring schemes and actions to reduce this type of pollution.
Lincolnshire Clean Air Project
Clean Air Lincs is a joint project between the eight local authorities in Lincolnshire – looking at providing information on what can be done to reduce air pollution in the county. As part of the project air quality monitors have been installed at eight secondary schools in the county and the project team are working with pupils at the schools to look at how air pollution is monitored and how the public can be encouraged to reduce air pollution risks.
The Clean Air Lincs website is now live https://cleanairlincs.org.uk/
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