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Air Quality
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Please note that telephone/fax numbers for Environmental Protection staff with current numbers of the form 020 7944 xxxx will change from 29 September. New numbers will be prefixed with the code 020 7082 followed by a (changed) four digit extension number.

From that date, please contact the Defra switchboard on 020 7238 6000 if you don't know the new number of the person you are trying to contact. We will update individual contact numbers on these web pages as soon as possible.

This section has details of developments to control and manage ambient air quality across the UK, including European and international air quality issues.

Air Quality Information:

 

National Air Quality Information Archive - this site provides up-to-date, comprehensive, detailed information on air quality. Visit the site to find out what air pollution is like near you and for a forecast of what it will be like over the next 24 hours! The site is also the national archive of air quality information and reports, including detailed air quality monitoring data and statistics, plus major sections on local air quality management and air quality research.

National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory *

* External web sites managed for Defra by AEA Technology Limited.

Headline/latest information:

The Air Quality Limit Values Regulations 2003, Statutory Instrument 2003 Number 2121: map referred to under Regulation 2; definition of "zone"

Consultation: UK report regarding plans and programmes to achieve limit values set by the first air quality daughter directive new

A feasibility study for a London low emission zone (LEZ) was launched on 9 July 2003. The Association of London Government, the Mayor of London, the London boroughs and the Government welcomed the publication of the study in a joint press release available at www.london.gov.uk ; a copy of the feasibility study can be viewed at www.london-lez.org .

Final consultation drafts on the second review of process guidance notes - solvents sector (23 July 2003).

Consultation on proposal for an EU environmental Directive - sulphur in marine fuel (14 July 2003)

LA-IPPC and LAPPC - Policy and Procedure for Permitting Installations: Secretary of State's Guidance Manual

National Emission Ceilings Directive (National Strategy to Combat Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-Level Ozone): Summary of responses to consultation, and implementing Regulations (17 March 2003)

Local authority environmental regulation of industrial plant - fees and charges 2003/04 (14 March 2003)

Air Quality Newsletter No. 6 (August 2003)

Report on updates to critical loads for habitats sensitive to acidification and nutrient nitrogen: The National Focal Centre for Critical Loads has published a report for Defra and the devolved administrations, documenting its latest updates to the methods to calculate and map critical loads for UK habitats sensitive to acidification and eutrophication. The updates have been made in light of new scientific information. The report can be accessed on the National Focal Centre's website: www.critloads.ceh.ac.uk

Second/Third Air Quality Daughter Directives - details of implementation; summary of responses to consultation.

The UK Government and devolved administrations published an Addendum to the Air Quality Strategy on 6 February 2003. The Strategy, issued in 2000, sets air quality standards and objectives for eight key air pollutants to be achieved between 2003 and 2008. Following a review and public consultation in 2001, the Addendum introduces tighter objectives for particles, benzene and carbon monoxide and a new objective for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Local authorities are required to review and assess the Strategy's 2000 objectives for seven air pollutants together with the new ones for benzene and carbon monoxide prescribed in regulations.

Local authorities have statutory duties for local air quality management (LAQM) under the Environment Act 1995. The Secretary of State has issued revised, up-to-date guidance on policy and technical issues to assist authorities with their duties in time for the next rounds of reviews and assessments, due to start early 2003. Authorities are required to take account of such guidance in carrying out their duties. Copies of the guidance are available via the LAQM page.

Statistical release: Air quality headline indicator for sustainable development: 2002 (provisional figures) - also this News Release (13 January 2003)

Waste Incineration Directive 2000/76/EC - Implementing Regulations and Directions (December 2002)

Industrial Air Pollution Control by Local Authorities: LAPPC Fees and Charges Scheme 2002-03 (17 December 2002)

"Air quality still improving - 50 years after the great London smog" (News Release, 5 December 2002) see also this news story

Large Combustion Plants Directive: Notice of Directions Given by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to the Environment Agency

Alun Michael welcomes new institute of air quality management (News Release, 15 November 2002)

Consultation on local authority air fees and charges scheme 2003/04 (closing date 3 January 2003)

Air pollution information

Air Quality Strategy

Sets out health-based objectives for ambient air pollutants in the UK.

Latest Material

Air Quality Strategy Regulations

Earlier Material

National Audit Office review

The National Audit Office used the development of the second Air Quality Strategy to examine policy development processes of the former Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (now Defra) - their report is available on the NAO web site.

Information Leaflets

Panels and Fora

Local Air Quality Issues

Industrial Air Pollution Issues

European and International Issues

Negotiation and implementation of EU air quality directives and international measures to control transboundary air pollution. Transposition of EU Directives into national law.

Publications

The National Expert Group on Transboundary Air Pollution was set up in 1998 to advise the Government on the impacts of air pollution on ecosystems. Professor David Fowler of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Edinburgh chairs the group, and members include ecology and air pollution experts. The group's report, "Transboundary Air Pollution: Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-level Ozone in the UK" was published in December 2001. The report is available at www.nbu.ac.uk/negtap/ and in printed form upon request from air.quality@defra.gsi.gov.uk

At the same time, a leaflet 'United Kingdom Acid Waters Monitoring Network'was published, summarising the findings of the monitoring network in its 12 year history. The Network monitors the chemical and biological condition of 22 lakes and streams in the UK affected by acid rain. Results over the 12 year period show that improvements in water quality and in some aquatic species have begun, as a result of in reductions in acid rain. The leaflet is available on the Network's website, together with more information on the sites and measurements: www.ukawmn.ucl.ac.uk/

Contacting Defra

If you want further information that is not covered by these pages, you can contact us by e-mail at air.quality@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Defra is not responsible for the contents or reliability of the linked web sites and does not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them. Listing should not be taken as endorsement of any kind. We cannot guarantee that these links will work all of the time and we have no control over the availability of the linked pages.
  Page last modified: 19 December 2003
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