Air Pollution
Good air quality is essential for human health and the well being of the environment as a whole. The Government, in addressing its commitment to sustainable development published the National Air Quality Strategy in 1997. This set out its ambient air quality policy for the UK for eight priority pollutants, with the aim of delivering significant improvements in the medium term. It also proposed new air quality standards and objectives for the eight pollutants.
Powers had been conferred on local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales via the Environment Act 1995 to regularly review their local air quality. The process involved a 3-stage phased approach in Round One. In Northern Ireland, local air quality management is legislated for in the form of the Environment (NI) Order 2002 and associated regulations.
For Derry in Round One, the first stage review focused on the collation and the assessment of information on local air quality in accordance with Government Guidance. Information was obtained from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR), background pollutant concentration maps, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, DOE Roads Service, DHSS (NI census), air quality monitoring results and research studies. In addition use was made of emissions information from industrial processes prescribed for control under the Industrial Pollution Control (NI) Order 1997.
The review and assessment identified that the air quality objectives were at risk of being exceeded in the Derry City Council area for three of the strategy pollutants namely nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter (PM10). Government guidance indicates that, where the risk of exceeding the strategy objections has been identified, then District Councils should proceed to a Stage 2/3 review and assessment.
The second stage involved assessing the sources found in stage one, using a range of screening tools including nomograms and basic dispersion models.
Stage three involved a detailed assessment of the pollutants highlighted in stage two, using atmospheric dispersion modelling software, verified against on the ground monitoring results.
Derry completed Stage 2 and 3 assessments and it was found that the only pollutant of concern is Nitrogen Dioxide from traffic sources at one location, namely the junction with Creggan Road and Infirmary Road, an area unique in the District with residential properties in close proximity to the kerbside of an inclined road where vehicles will emit more pollutants as engines work harder on the ascent.
Derry City Council, in exercise of the powers conferred on it by Article 12(1) of the Environment (NI) Order 2002, made an Order on 23 February 2005, designating this area an Air Quality Management Area. An Action Plan has been formulated to consider measures that will lead to a reduction in Nitrogen Dioxide levels at this location and Derry City Council is collaborating with various stake-holders, especially the Roads Service (NI). A draft of the Action Plan is currently out for consultation.
The Environmental Health Department monitors pollution at a number of different sites in the District. Data from these monitoring stations, as well as all the Air Quality Reports completed as part of Derry’s Review and Assessment of Air Quality can be accessed on the Northern Ireland Air Quality site, under reports/research reports. (www.airqualityni.co.uk)
This web site also gives details of all other monitoring and reports that are/have been undertaken by other Councils in Northern Ireland. A Progress Report, providing an update on monitoring results and developments impacting on air quality was completed in June 2005. In August 2006, an Updating and Screening Assessment Report, detailing new or changed pollutant sources, was completed.
Contact
Paul McSwiggan
Senior Environmental Health Officer
02871 376511
Mark McChrystal
District Environmental Health Officer
02871 365151
Ext 6922
Kieran Shanks
Group Environmental Health Officer
02871 365151
Ext 6914