Air Quality Bulletin

Thursday, 17 May 2012 Sampling Cabinet

Produced by the Environmental Health Unit Development and Neighbourhood Services.

Latest UK air pollution forecast

Air pollution is expected to remain Low for the next 24 hours as clean air masses from the north Atlantic and Arctic continue to affect the UK.

Air Pollution Episode Alerts

There are no Air Pollution Episode Alerts at present.

The highest measured levels for the past 24 hours recorded up to 08:00hrs for Wednesday 16th of May 2012 were:

Monitoring Site

Ozone

Running 8 Hours mean (mgm^-3)

Nitrogen Dioxide

Hourly mean (mgm^-3)

Sulphur Dioxide

Max 15 minutes mean (mgm^-3)

PM2.5 Particles

Running 24 Hours mean (mgm^-3)

PM10 Particles

Running 24 Hours mean (mgm^-3)

Cowpen Depot, Billingham

N/M

25 (1 Low)

1 (1 Low)

N/M

16 (1 Low)

Urlay Nook Road, Eaglescliffe

60 (2 Low)

15 (1 Low)

N/M

6 (1 Low )

13 (1 Low)

N/M - Means that the pollutant is not measured at that site
N/D - Means no data

All measurements in µg/m3.

Environmental Health Unit continuously monitors the air quality at two locations within the Borough. The measured pollutant concentration is then classified into four air pollution bands to form the Daily Air Quality Index [in a similar way to the pollen index].

Which air pollutants are measured and how do they affect your health?

We continuously measure the main air pollutants at two sites within the Borough using sophisticated monitoring equipment. The readings for each pollutant are then classified into one of four pollution bands and is further classified according to the air pollution index [on a 1-10 scale] as shown below:

Air Pollution Banding	Value	Accompanying Health Messages For At-Risk Groups & The General Population
Air Pollution Banding	Value	At-risk individuals*	General population
Low	1-3	Enjoy your usual outdoor activities.	Enjoy your usual outdoor activities.
Moderate	4-6	Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, who experience symptoms, should consider reducing strenuous physical activity, particularly outdoors.	Enjoy your usual outdoor activities.
High	7-9	Adults and children with lung problems, and adults with heart problems, should reduce strenuous physical exertion, particularly outdoors, and particularly if they experience symptoms. People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often. Older people should also reduce physical exertion.	Anyone experiencing discomfort such as sore eyes, cough or sore throat should consider reducing activity, particularly outdoors.
Very High	10	Adults and children with lung problems, adults with heart problems, and older people, should avoid strenuous physical activity. People with asthma may find they need to use their reliever inhaler more often.	Reduce physical exertion, particularly outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as cough or sore throat.

Further information on air quality can be obtained from the Environmental Health Unit on 01642 526575; online information can be obtained from the air quality archive at www.airquality.co.uk.