Air Quality
Redcar and Cleveland Council has a statutory duty to carry out a periodic review and assessment of air quality, reporting our findings in an Annual Status Report (ASR).
The government sets out health-based 'objective' levels relating to common pollutants, these levels have consistently been achieved across the borough.
Therefore, we have no requirement to declare any Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) where air quality is poor.
Air pollution and health effects
Poor air quality is a significant public health concern, especially for the young, the elderly and people with existing respiratory and heart conditions.
Health reports can be viewed at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/comeap-reports
Sources of pollution and measures to tackle these
Pollutants in the air we breathe come from many different sources including vehicles, industry, heating systems and natural sources. Some pollutants, such as those caused by diesel fumes, have no known safe limits.
So our approach to improving air quality is to reduce emissions as far as is possible and practicable.
Air quality monitoring
Air quality monitoring is undertaken at a static site in Redcar where concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, ozone and particulates are measured on a minute-by-minute basis and compared with health-based standards.
Our dedicated air quality website provides specific data about air quality in the borough, see: http://www.airqualityengland.co.uk/local-authority/?la_id=279
Nitrogen dioxide monitoring is additionally carried out at various sample sites across the borough since 2014 using diffusion tubes. Local data can be seen within our Annual Status report below.
For further information about Air pollution for the whole of the UK see: http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/latest/
The following South Tees Clean Air Strategy is a joint strategy between Redcar & Cleveland and Middlesbrough Councils. The strategy explains how air quality is monitored and how we are trying to improve it. You can find the strategy available to download below:
Vehicle Pollution and Anti-Idling
A major cause of poor air quality is vehicle exhaust emissions. All vehicles are required to meet exhaust emission standards, which are set out under the Road Vehicle (Construction and Use) Regulations 2002.
A key priority of the South Tees Clean Air Strategy is to raise awareness of air pollution to help improve local air quality. One of the ways we can achieve this is by switching off engines when stationary.
Idling facts
- In just one minute, an idling engine produces enough exhaust emissions to inflate as many as 150 balloons with chemicals harmful to health, including cyanide, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and invisible particulates called PM2.5.
- Exhaust pollution particularly affects the most vulnerable in society, children, the elderly, and those with existing heart and lung conditions.
- Just a few seconds of idling an engine uses more fuel and creates more exhaust emissions than restarting your engine.
Help to improve your air quality by downloading the anti-idling poster below to promote anti-idling at your school or place of work:
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Document
Contact information
If you would like further information please contact the Environmental Protection Team:
Email: environmental.protection@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk
Our service hours are Monday to Thursday 09:00 till 17:00, and Friday 09:00 till 16:30.