Pollution Control - Air Quality
What do we mean by Air Quality?
"Air Quality" is the term used to describe and classify the concentration of certain pollutants in the air. These pollutants have the potential to adversely affect human health at elevated concentrations.
What are the Council’s Responsibilities?
Under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995, local authorities are required to review and assess air quality within their areas. The primary objective of this exercise is to identify areas where air quality is unlikely to meet the objectives prescribed in the Air Quality Regulations (Wales) 2007 at locations which are situated outside of buildings or other natural or man-made structures, above or below ground, where members of the public are regularly present (relevant locations). The process of reviewing and assessing air quality represents a cornerstone in the system of local air quality management (LAQM).
The National Air Quality Strategy (NAQS) and The Air Quality (Wales) Regulations 2007 set health-based Standards and Objectives for eight key pollutants. Measures contained in the NAQS are designed to cut emissions and improve air quality in coming years and, generally, enable achievement of the Objectives.
The Environmental Health Officer's within the Housing & Pollution Enforcement section are responsible for monitoring air quality within Torfaen.
What type of Air Quality Monitoring is undertaken in Torfaen?
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 website.
The following pollutants are continuously monitored at the site:
- Nitrogen Dioxide
- Particulates (PM10)
- Ozone
The Council also monitors Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) levels at 25 diffusion tube sites throughout the County Borough.
Annual Air Quality Progress Reports
To date the Council has published 16 Progress Reports on Air Quality. The latest report is the 2023 Progress Report which relates to monitoring undertaken in 2022. 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.
Torfaen's latest Air Quality Report can be found below.
Previous years reports are available on request via email to public.health@torfaen.gov.uk
Useful Links
Further information is available from the following websites:
Last Modified: 15/01/2024
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