Air pollution

Air pollution definition

Air pollution is a type of environmental pollution that affects the air and is usually caused by smoke or other harmful gases, mainly oxides of carbon, sulphur and nitrogen.

Air pollution can cause both short term and long term effects on health and many people are concerned about pollution in the air that they breathe. These people may include:

People with heart or lung conditions, or other breathing problems, whose health may be affected by air pollution
Parents, carers and healthcare professionals who look after someone whose health is sensitive to pollution
People who want to know more about air pollution, its causes, and what they can do to help reduce it
The scientific community and students, who may need data on air pollution levels, either now or in the past, throughout the UK

In May 1997 the Government produced theNational Air Quality Strategy (NAQS) (opens new window). The strategy represents a comprehensive approach to maintaining and improving the quality of ambient air in the United Kingdom.

In Breckland, as well as recording meteorological data, the monitoring station is equipped to monitor for: fine particles (PM10) oxides of nitrogen (NOx) ozone (O3) There is also an extensive network of diffusion tubes for NO2.

Full information on what the Air Quality Objectives are can be found on theDEFRA website. (opens new window)