The Council’s automatic air quality monitoring station is located in the grounds of Croesyceiliog Comprehensive School in the town of Cwmbran in the south of the County Borough. In June 2001, the automatic analysers at the ‘Cwmbran’ site became affiliated to the Automatic Urban Rural Network. As such all results from the station are ratified and contribute to the UK Air Pollution Monitoring Network. The site is classified as an ‘Urban Background’ Site (Grid Reference: ST 305 955) and is located adjacent to the playing fields of the school. The monitoring location therefore represents a site with relevant public exposure i.e. a location where members of the public are regularly present. Further details of the monitoring station in Cwmbran can be found on the Welsh Air Quality Forum's| website
The following pollutants are continuously monitored at the site:
The Council also monitors Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) levels at 12 diffusion tube sites throughout the County Borough. Torfaen is one of approximately 300 local authorities that contribute to the UK Nitrogen Dioxide Survey. The survey is co-ordinated by AEA Technology, which is also responsible for quality control/assurance, interpretation and dissemination of data. There are three categories of site i.e. kerbside, intermediate and urban background. Torfaen Council contributes four tubes to the National Network, two of which are of the urban background type.