Pollution Control - Air

Summary

 Good air is essential for our health, quality of life and the environment. Pollution may have harmful effects - particularly for people with pre-existing respiratory problems.

The government has set national air quality standards for eight pollutants which include:

• Fine Particles (PM10)
• Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)
• Ozone (O₃)
• Sulphur dioxide (SO₂)
• Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Local authorities play a strategic role in helping to achieve the government's national objectives to reduce levels of these pollutants and improve air quality. Included in this strategic role is regulation of certain industrial processes by Local Authorities, as required by the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Pollution Prevention & Control Act 1999.  

Eligibility

 This process applies to anyone who wishes to report an air pollution problem.  

Procedure 

Assessment and control of air pollution involves a multi-disciplinary approach.

The Government, European Union and Local Authorities all have a role to play. Local Authorities may regulate those businesses which undertake processes as defined by the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Pollution Prevention & Control Act 1999, to prevent uncontrolled or unabated emissions to air.

Local authorities also undertake other air quality work, as part of their National Air Quality Management duties. This involves:

Assessment of ambient air pollution concentrations within the local authority area.

Declaration of Air Quality Management Areas where air pollution concentrations are found to exceed air quality standards.

Implementation of an Action Plan for the air quality management areas, in an attempt to reduce air pollution to acceptable levels. 

Helplines 

Regulatory Services, Pollution Control Team: 01226 772468 e-mail: regulatoryservices@barnsley.gov.uk

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service: (0114) 2727202

Environment Agency: General Enquiries 08708 506506 (Mon-Fri 8-6) Incident Hotline 0800 807060

Environmental Protection UK: (01273) 878770 Environmental Protection UK  

Charges/Fees 

There is no charge for this service. 

Methods of Payment Available 

Not applicable. 

Opening Times/Locations 

08.30 - 17.00 Hrs Monday - Thursday
08.30 - 16.30 Hrs Friday 

How the Customer can Help 

Your request for service (complaint) should include the following information:

• The address/site/area that is causing concern.
• When and for how long the problem was noticed.
• How the problem affected you or another person.
• Any action you have taken to resolve the problem yourself.  

Application Form References 

Not applicable. 

Leaflets 

Service will provide where appropriate. 

Distribution Points 

Service will provide where appropriate. 

Legislation 

• Environmental Protection Act 1990
• Pollution Prevention & Control Act 1999
• Environment Act 1995
• Air Quality Regulations (England)(Wales) 2000
• Air Quality Amendment Regulations 2002  

Response Times/Next Steps 

Following contact with the Pollution Control Team to make a request for Service or complaint an officer will respond to you within 3 working days to verify the details and explain the procedure for your request. 

Out of Hours Procedure 

This service is only available within office hours. However, where problems already under investigation require site visits outside of office hours, these can be arranged if necessary. 

Owner Officer Contact Details 

Principal Officer,
Pollution Control,
Regulatory Services,
PO Box 602,
Barnsley,
S70 9FB. 

Additional Notes 

In May 1997, the Government produced the National Air Strategy (NAQS). The strategy represents a comprehensive approach to maintaining and improving the quality of ambient air in the United Kingdom. Outlined in the strategy are the air quality objectives for the pollutants the Government feels are of most concern.

PM10 Particulates
PM10 describes the fraction of airborne particulate matter that is less than 10 microns in size. Fine particles are of the greatest concern since they are capable of being easily transported over long distances on air currents. Also, fine particles may be drawn into the respiratory airways where they may adversely affect health. Recently, the attention of scientists has been drawn towards studying the PM2.5 fraction and even smaller particles, which can penetrate the very deepest parts of the lung.

PM10 and other particulate matter may vary considerably in chemical and physical composition. The principal sources of these particles are combustion processes, including traffic and industry.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂)
Nitrogen dioxide is one of a number of nitrogen oxides, which are formed during high temperature combustion processes. Road traffic is the main source, accounting for approximately 50% for all European emissions. Therefore, concentrations tend to be highest in urban environments with high traffic levels. Large industrial sources can also have a significant impact.

Ozone (O₃)
Ozone is a very reactive chemical, which is potentially toxic to both plants and animals. In the Stratosphere, ozone helps to protect the earth from the harmful effects of ultra-violet rays from the sun. However, at ground level it is a pollutant. Unlike the other pollutants mentioned above, ozone is not emitted directly. Rather, it is formed as a result of a complex series of reactions involving hydrocarbons, sunlight and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). The involvement of the sunlight in this process means that ozone levels tend to be highest in the summer. The reactions take time to generate ozone and the highest concentrations are frequently experienced many miles away from the source of the pollution, perhaps in rural areas. In fact, a significant proportion of ozone incidents experienced in the UK are due to pollution imported from abroad. The problem of ozone pollution can therefore only be adequately dealt with as a result of international agreements.

Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂)
Sulphur dioxide is a corrosive acid gas, which combines with water vapour in the atmosphere to produce acid rain. SO₂ in ambient air is capable of causing harm to human health and the environment. It is associated with the aggravation of asthma and chronic bronchitis, and has been known to damage vegetation, soils, watercourses and building materials.

Sulphur dioxide is mainly formed as a result of the combustion of fossil fuels in power stations. Some areas, which rely heavily upon the use of coal for domestic heating, may also suffer localised pollution as a consequence.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that is produced in the process of combustion, such as the burning of fossil fuels or in a car engine. It is the most dangerous of all the pollutant gases and can cause death in very high concentrations. Once emitted into the atmosphere CO is slowly oxidised to CO₂.

Vehicle emissions are again a major contributor. CO is produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. The main source of outdoor exposure (aside from smoking) is general pollution from exhausts, although indoor sources can account for a larger proportion than traffic. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. How does my business interact with the issue of air quality?
A. Your business may have a direct or indirect affect on air quality. If your businesses' processes are regulated under the Pollution Prevention & Control Act 1999, regulation of your processes has a direct impact in maintaining and improving air quality. Regulation is undertaken by either the Environment Agency or the Local Authority, dependent on the nature of the process undertaken.

Your business may also have an indirect impact on air quality. If your business is trying to reduce power consumption, or be involved with green travel plans, or similar initiatives, these may also have a benefit on local air quality, as emissions from your business are reduced.

Q. How is air quality assessed?
A. Air quality can be assessed by monitoring or modelling. Nationally, the Government co-ordinates a network in excess of one hundred air quality monitoring stations, whilst Government air quality experts model present and future air quality, by applying emissions and weather data to sophisticated computer models. Local Authorities may also undertake their own air quality modelling and monitoring. This work enables predictions to be made on the amount of reduction required to meet the air quality standards.

Under the Part IV of the Environment Act 1995, Local Authorities are now required to periodically assess their Borough's air quality. Specifically, seven important airborne pollutants are assessed against statutory health-based air quality standards. If the assessment process indicates that the standard(s) are to be exceeded, then the Local Authority is required to declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) for the affected area. An Action Plan has then to be implemented, in an attempt to reduce air pollution to acceptable concentrations within the AQMA.

In undertaking this work, Local Authorities must follow Government guidance, in order to ensure a consistency of approach throughout the UK, and any decisions made as a result of the assessment are fair and proportionate.

Your business may have a role to play in implementing the Action Plan. If your process has been highlighted as a significant source of pollution within the AQMA, you may be asked to undertake measures to reduce pollutant concentrations. Otherwise, you could contribute to the Action Plan by involving your business in Green Travel plans and other voluntary measures. Details of declared AQMAs can be obtained from your Local Authority.

Q. What are the effects of air quality?
A. Poor air quality can affect human health and the ecosystem. Although air pollution concentrations normally experienced within the UK do not affect healthy people, susceptible individuals, particularly people with pre-existing respiratory problems, may be affected. Anyone who has individual concerns over their personal health should contact their GP.

Other air quality standards exist, as a guide for protection of the environment.

Q. What action is taken in the event of poor air quality?
A. Generally, if a business' process has been identified as a source of air pollution, measures may be required under existing legislation to abate or control the emission.
During episodes of Poor air quality, Government and Local Authority public information systems pass on advice and information.

Q. What are the long-term trends in air quality?
A. UK air quality has improved dramatically since the Clean Air Acts of the 1950's and 1960's, which limited the burning of coal and other unauthorised fuels on domestic grates. Improvements in vehicle technology and regulation of industrial sources of air pollution have also helped in further reducing air pollution concentrations. However, there is still concern with current air quality, which resulted in the production of the National Air Quality Strategy in 1997, mentioned earlier. 

 

Related Links:

• Environment Agency
• Environmental Protection UK
• Barnsley MBC Air Quality Website