What has the Monitoring Revealed
Review and Assessment Exercise 1999
The First and Second stage reviews and assessments for Torfaen County Borough Council were published in December 1999 and June 2000 respectively. These concluded that, based on available data, the risk of the air quality objectives in respect of carbon monoxide; benzene; 1,3 butadiene; lead; nitrogen dioxide; sulphur dioxide and fine particulates (PM10) not being met within the prescribed time scales was negligible.
Annual Air Quality Progress Reports
To date the Council has published 4 Progress Reports on Air Quality for the year's 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007. Progress Reports have been introduced into the LAQM system following a detailed evaluation of the first round of local authority review and assessments and a need was identified to develop a longer-term vision for both LAQM and the review and assessment process.
The Reports conclude that measured air quality in Torfaen currently meets national standards. Concentrations of PM10 and Nitrogen Dioxide are complying with the objectives for 2004 and 2005 respectively. Furthermore, concentrations of Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, 1,3-Butadiene, Lead and Sulphur Dioxide are all currently meeting the statutory objectives within their respective deadlines.
Copies of Annual Air Quality Progress Reports can be obtained below.
Updating and Screening Assessment 2009
The most recent document on air quality published by the Council is the Air Quality Progress Report 2010|. This assessment confirms that measured air quality within Torfaen continues to meet national standards as concentrations of all pollutants are within the stipulated limits. There is therefore no requirement to proceed to a detailed assessment of air quality within the County Borough of Torfaen at the present time.
However, the assessment has revealed that levels of nitrogen dioxide are approaching objective limits at some roadside locations within Torfaen. Therefore, levels of air pollution will continue to be closely monitored at the Cwmbran Air Quality Monitoring Station and traffic flows on the major road networks throughout the County Borough will be closely scrutinised.
The results derived from this work will contribute to the next Progress Report and to subsequent Updating and Screening Assessments.