Environmental Protection - Air Quality
Last updated: 06/03/2013
Add to My Bookmarks
Subscribe
In May 1997 the Government produced the National
Air Quality Strategy (NAQS). The strategy represents a
comprehensive approach to maintaining and improving the quality of
ambient air in the United Kingdom.
Outlined in the strategy are the air quality objectives for
the 7 pollutants the Government feels are of most concern at
present and the dates it feels these targets should be met. The air
quality considerations for Cornwall Council are listed below.
Pollutants of concern
- PM10 Particulates
- Nitrogen Dioxide
(NO2)
- Benezene
- Sulphur Dioxide
(SO2)
- 1,3
Butadiene
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Lead
Under the Environment Act 1995 Local
Authorities are required to assess and, if necessary, take action
in matters relating to air quality. If, after monitoring we
are of the opinion that levels have or are likely to exceed the
Government standards there is a duty to initiate remedial
action.
Although air quality in Cornwall within the area is generally
very good there are certain 'hotspots' where standards fail to meet
national air quality objectives. As part of our
statutory duties, we undertake a regular programme to monitor and
review air quality in Cornwall. Cornwall Council has a
partnership agreement with the Cornwall Air Quality Unit (CAQU) at
Cornwall College and by working together and sharing resources
and knowledge CAQU has managed to achieve considerable
Air Quality work within the County.
The Cornwall Air Quality Strategy document was
published in December 2004. The Strategy considers actions to
address problems highlighted by air quality monitoring, and propose
a realistic framework for policy decisions to maintain good air
quality across the County. The full strategy document along
with detailed monitoring information can be found on the
CAQU section of the
Cornwall College website. The website also contains air quality
reports.
Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) have been
declared for the Camborne, Pool, and Redruth (CPR) area in 2005,
Bodmin in 2008 and Tideford in 2011.
New AQMAs are proposed for Gunnislake and St Austell in
2013.
Following declaration of the Tideford AQMA, the Council
has published a single coherent Cornwall-wide Air Quality
Action Plan . This helps identify common problems and solutions
across Cornwall and assists the delivery of countywide policies in
a local context.
China Clay Dust
Monitoring Forum
Additional monitoring for PM10,
microscopic dust, has been conducted at various locations
associated with the china clay industry in central Cornwall. A
comprehensive study was undertaken in 2003-05 and the final report
of the China Clay Dust Monitoring Forum was published in June 2007.
It was a partnership between the China Clay industry and various
regulatory authorities, supported by scientific advisors (Advance
Environmental, Exeter and Air Quality Unit, Cornwall College). The
conclusions of the report indicated National Air Quality Objectives
are not exceeded and levels have not required the declaration of an
AQMA. The full report ‘An Investigation of the China Clay
industry’s impact on PM10 in Cornwall 2007’can be found
on the CAQU
website.
For more information on air quality and the
levels of pollutants that should be in our air visit the
Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
website.
For more information on air quality
please contact the Environmental Protection Team by e-mail
communityandenvironmentalprotection@cornwall.gov.uk
or by calling 0300 1234 212