Air Quality Management
Clean air is essential for health and an important part of protecting the environment.
Poor air quality can lead to health conditions, pollution and problems with odour, smoke and dust.
The main causes of air pollution are chemicals like sulphur dioxide, lead and carbon monoxide.
In the UK, a National Air Quality Strategy (NAQS) describes the plans drawn up by the Government and devolved administrations to improve and protect ambient air quality in the UK in the medium term. The Strategy establishes the future for ambient air quality policy in the UK to 2005 and beyond. It addresses the following eight pollutants for which objectives have been set:
- Benzene1,3 – butadiene
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Lead
- Nitrogen dioxide
- Ozone Particles
- (PM10)
- Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
You can obtain further information on NAQS at www.airquality.co.uk
Air quality monitoring in NI is currently carried out by District Councils and the Department of the Environment.
Air quality reports for Northern Ireland for 2000 and 2004 can be found on the website http://www.ehsni.gov.uk
Local Air Quality Management
The Environment (NI) Order 2002 requires each local authority to review air quality periodically. Local authorities have to consider present and likely future air quality and assess whether national air quality objectives are likely to be achieved in time.
In order to do this, a phased approach to local air quality review and assessment was recommended, involving 3 stages – assessment, monitoring and measurement.
The Council has completed all three stages, which involved an initial screening of industrial, transport and other sources of pollutants within the Armagh City and more detailed measurements of certain pollutants where required.
Air pollution levels in Armagh are generally low and the initial screening ruled out the majority of the pollutants from being a problem. However, in 2008 a Progress Report identified that there had been a breach in some areas of the city for Nitrogen Dioxide.
If pollution levels in an area are likely to or do exceed the objectives, an Air Quality Management Area must be declared and an Air Quality Action Plan must be developed which aims to reduce the level of the pollutant within the affected area by working in partnership with other key agencies and implementing practical steps to achieve improvements.
In November 2008, an Air Quality Management Area was declared which encompasses Barrack Street, Mall West, Railway Street, Lonsdale Road. This was due to levels of nitrogen dioxide levels exceeding the objective limits in Mall West and is attributed to road traffic. The Air Quality Action Plan was produced this year for implementation.
Air Quality Management Area Map 2008
Armagh Air Quality Manangement Area Action Plan 1st Draft – July 2010
The most recent Progress Report was completed in May 2011 and identified that a more detailed assessment would be required for Greenpark Terrace. A further detailed assessment carried out in August 2011 has identified a breach for Nitrogen Dioxide at Greenpark Terrace and plans are underway to declare a second Air Quality Management Area to tackle the problem.
Armagh Progress Report 2011
Armagh Detailed Assessment July 2011
There are 12 monitoring locations within the Armagh City for nitrogen dioxide. At each monitoring location there is a diffusion tube which is changed every month and analysed. There is also a monitoring site on the Lonsdale Road which monitors PM10 and Nitrogen Dioxide continuously.
Monitoring Sites 2011
General air quality information can be found at:
- www.doeni.gov.uk
- www.ni-environment.gov.uk
- www.airquality.co.uk
- ww2.defra.gov.uk/environment/qualtiy/air/air-quality/
- www.environmental-protection.org.uk
Smoke Control Zones
The Clean Air (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 enables a District Council to establish a Smoke Control Zone by means of an Order confirmed by the Department. The effect of a Smoke Control Order is to prohibit entirely the emission of smoke from chimneys in the area
Parts of Armagh City are designated as a Smoke Control Zone. The Smoke Control Zone was created to control the emissions of smoke from homes in the city due to burning coal. Properties within these zones are only permitted to use authorised smokeless fuels for their heating and cooking appliances.
The occupier of any building in a Smoke Control Area from which smoke is emitted is guilty of an offence under the Clean Air (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 and the Council will investigate any such incidents.
The Smoke Control Zone can be viewed by clicking here.
Here are some useful links to further information on exempt appliances and authorised fuels than can be used within Armagh City’s Smoke Control Zone:
The Department of The Environment also provides more detail on Smoke control Zones.
Pollution Prevention and Control
The Local Air Pollution Prevention and Control (LINK) regime has also introduced a legislation which aims to control air pollution generated by certain industrial activities.
Do Your Bit!
Everyone can do small things to improve air quality at a local level. This includes things like, walking, cycling or taking the bus instead of the car, car sharing and using cleaner fuels to heat our homes.
Find more information here on renewable energy and energy saving tips
