Air Quality Management |
Sources of air pollution |
Health effects of air pollution |
Air quality monitoring
Trends in air quality |
Chimney height approval |
Air Quality Information Links
This page provides information on air quality in the City of
London. The legislative and policy backgrounds to air quality
management are summarised, and our monitoring network is
described. Specific air quality projects are described.
A number of links to external sites are provided at the bottom of
the page.
Engine-idling in the City of London:
The City of London has poor air quality. It has been declared an
Air Quality Management Area for fine particulates (PM10) and
nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which are harmful to heath at high levels.
Levels of PM10 and NO2 in the City consistently exceed health-based
national objectives.
There are a number of sources of this pollution, and the City of
London is implementing a range of measures to tackle them and to
reduce pollution to less harmful levels.
Vehicle engines which are left running unnecessarily are a
source of both PM10 and NO2.
The cooperation of City drivers will make a significant
difference in tackling this pollution source, and provisions have
been made to enforce no-idling legislation (notice below).
Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions)(Fixed Penalty)(England)
Regulations 2002
Notice is hereby given that from 1 January 2012, the City of
London intends to issue Fixed Penalty Notices to drivers of
vehicles which are left idling unnecessarily. The Notices will be
issued under the Road Traffic Vehicle Emissions(Fixed
Penalty)(England) Regulations 2002.
It is already a requirement of Regulation 98 of the Road
Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, as amended, that
drivers switch off engines in parked vehicles. From 1 January 2012,
if a driver refuses to turn off an engine when requested to do so
by an authorised officer, a Fixed Penalty Notice will be issued,
for which the penalty will be £20. This will increase to £40 if it
is not paid within 28 days.
The City of London has been declared an Air Quality Management
Area for fine particulates (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Both
pollutants are harmful to heath at high levels, and are found in
the City at levels which exceed health-based air quality
objectives.
Vehicle engines which are left running unnecessarily are a
source of both PM10 and NO2, and enforcement of the legislation
cited above is part of the overall effort being made by the City of
London to improve air quality.
Please contact Ruth Calderwood or Edward Haythornthwaite on 020
7606 3030 for further information.
The City of London Air Quality Strategy 2011 - 2015
The City of London has published an Air Quality Strategy
outlining how air quality policy at the City will be developed from
2011 through to 2015. The strategy sets out the framework for
delivering cleaner air in the City through a number of initiatives
such as:
- Engaging City businesses
- Reducing pollution from City of London buildings and fleet
- Using the planning system to improve air quality
- Minimising emissions from construction and demolition
sites
- Tackling emissions from idling vehicle engines
- Recognising and rewarding good practice
- Increasing public awareness of air quality
Download the City of London Air Quality Strategy 2011 to
2015 (2mb)
Air quality impact of a range of emission reduction schemes in
the City of London
In order to manage and improve the City’s air quality, it is
important to understand the likely impact on levels of pollution of
a range of potential emission reduction schemes. The City’s Air
Quality Strategy 2011 – 2015 reflects this and contains an
action point to model the air quality impact of additional controls
over taxi emissions, the use of low emission buses on routes though
the City and a central and inner London low emission zone.
The results of the computer modelling, and associated reports,
can be downloaded below.
The June source apportionment report details the proportion of
pollution coming from different sources in the City of London.
Download the June source apportionment
report (1.5mb)
The model verification report details how the computer model was
verified against monitoring data and includes air quality maps for
the City.
Download the model verification
report (8mb)
The emission reduction scenarios report details different
emission reduction schemes and their likely impact on local air
quality.
Download the emission reduction scenarios
report (12mb)
Air Quality Management
The Environment Act 1995 laid the foundations for a nation-wide
system of local Air Quality Management. Under Part IV of the Act,
local authorities are required to periodically carry out a review
and assessment of air quality and identify areas where air quality
is unlikely to meet objectives prescribed in the Air Quality
(England) Regulations 2000. Objectives have been set for seven
pollutants:
To view the air quality objectives click
here.
- carbon monoxide (CO)
- benzene
- 1,3-butadiene
- nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
- lead
- sulphur dioxide (SO2)
- PM10 (fine particles under 10µm in
diameter)
The objectives are set at levels at which minimal effects on
human health are likely to occur. If the objectives are unlikely to
be achieved, local authorities are required to declare Air Quality
Management Areas and produce action plans indicating the action
they propose to take in pursuit of the objectives. The City Air
Quality Strategy details action that will be taken through to
2015
The City of London has undertaken a series of reviews of air
quality since 1998. Following the review and assessment process,
the City was declared an Air Quality Management Area in January
2001 for the pollutants nitrogen dioxide and fine particles
(PM10):
Download Air Quality Review Stage 1 and
2 (240kb)
Download Air Quality Review Stage
3 (245kb)
Download Air Quality Review Stage
3a (352kb)
Download Air Quality Review Stage
4 (2.1mb)
Download the Updating and Screening Assessment (263 kb)
Sources of air pollution in
the City
Pollutants which are a problem in the City of London today
include particulates (PM10 and PM2.5) and
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2).
Road traffic is the main source of pollution, supplemented
by commercial and domestic heating. Pollutants generated by traffic
largely consist of hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, particulates and
carbon monoxide.
There are no industrial sources of pollution in the City.
However the Environmental Protection Act 1990 introduced
responsibility for Local Air Pollution Control (LAPC) to all local
authorities in England and Wales. Various processes are subject to
local air pollution control and require prior authorisations or
permits to operate. If you are intending to start a business such
as vehicle re-spraying, dry cleaning, or petrol stations, then you
should read
Pollution prevention and control.
The City is located in the heart of London, and much of its
pollution originates from neighbouring boroughs and wider
London. Some pollution, such as fine particulates, is thought
to originate from continental Europe.
Nevertheless, there are still significant sources to be found
within the city boundary, particularly road traffic and demolition
and construction sites. Demolition and construction sites can
generate dust which contributes to local concentration of
PM10. The Pollution Team has developed a code of
practice, which informs site operators of ways in which they can
avoid or minimise the release of dust and other pollution from
their sites. The Code of Practice is distributed to
demolition and construction site operators across the City, and can
be accessed through the link below:
Download Code of Practice 2011 (1mb)
The City of London also runs a Considerate Contractor Scheme and
this now includes an Environment Award to reward innovation and
encourage activities that push the boundaries of environmental
responsibility.
Download the Considerate Contractors Scheme case
study (122kb)
The City of London has also been awarded Beacon Status for its
efforts in tackling climate change. You can read more about this on
our
Beacon Status page.
Health effects of air
pollution
There is growing evidence that high levels of air pollution can
cause damage to the airways and lungs, cause heart attacks, and
lead to premature death for people who are already ill.
Long term exposure to air pollution (over many years) can also
increase the risk of cancer. Air pollution can trigger asthma
attacks for those who already suffer from the illness.
Government research has shown that every year, between 14,000
and 24,000 people may be admitted to hospital as a result of air
pollution, and that between 12,000 and 24,000 vulnerable people
(such as those who are already ill) may die prematurely.
The table below shows the main
air pollutants, sources of these pollutants and potential health
effects:
| Pollutant: |
Sources: |
Health effects: |
| Nitrogen dioxide |
Road transport, domestic boilers, power stations and
industry |
Causes irritation to airways and can increase asthma symptoms
at high concentrations |
| Sulphur dioxide |
Power stations, domestic boilers, industry |
Causes coughing, irritation and narrowing of airways.
Aggravates existing asthma and bronchitis |
| Carbon monoxide |
Petrol vehicles, domestic boilers, industry |
Deprives the blood of oxygen and can cause headaches,
dizziness, and nausea. At very high levels it can lead to
death |
| Fine particulates (PM10) |
Road transport (mainly diesels), power stations, domestic
boilers |
Can cause heart and lung diseases. Can also lead to premature
death in those already ill |
| Ozone |
Produced when sunlight reacts with vehicle exhaust fumes |
Causes irritation to eyes, nose and throat. Can also cause
damage to the lungs and airways |
| Benzene |
Petrol vehicles |
Long term exposure can increase risk of cancer |
| Lead |
Petrol vehicles, industry |
Can damage children's learning abilities and affect their
concentration |
Source
Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs (DEFRA)
Air quality monitoring in
the City
The City of London has been monitoring air quality in
the Square Mile since the late 1960’s. Monitoring
initially focussed on sulphur dioxide and black smoke in response
to the introduction of the Clean Air Acts. Following the
declaration of an Air Quality Management Area in January 2001, air
quality monitoring in the City was reviewed. The overall strategy
has been to increase the monitoring of nitrogen dioxide and
PM10 and continue to monitor other pollutants, to ensure
continuing compliance with the other objectives. Air quality in the
City is monitored using diffusion tubes and continuous
analysers. The map below shows the locations of all
monitoring sites.
“
This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the
permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the controller of Her
Majesty´s Stationary Office © Crown Copyright 2008. All rights
reserved. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and
may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. City of London
100023243 2008”
The table below gives a summary of the monitoring that is currently
undertaken in the City using continuous analysers.
|
Monitoring
Site |
Site
Classification |
Nitrogen dioxide
(NO2) |
Fine Particulates
(PM10) |
Fine Particulates
(PM2.5) |
Sulphur dioxide
(SO2) |
Ozone
(O3) |
|
Beech
Street |
Roadside |
ü |
ü |
|
|
|
|
Walbrook
Wharf |
Roadside |
ü |
|
|
|
|
|
Senator
House |
Urban
background |
ü |
|
|
ü |
ü |
|
Walbrook
Wharf
Rooftop |
Urban
background |
ü |
|
|
|
|
|
Sir
John Cass
School |
Urban
Background |
ü |
ü |
|
|
|
|
Upper Thames
Street |
Roadside |
|
ü |
|
|
|
|
Farringdon
Street |
Kerbside |
|
|
ü |
|
|
Farringdon Street |
Sir John Cass School |
Sir John Cass School |
Beech Street |
Data from three of the monitoring sites in the City (Senator
House on Queen Victoria Street, Walbrook Wharf Foyer, Upper Thames
Street and Sir John Cass School) form part of the London Air
Quality Network (LAQN). The LAQN was formed in 1993 to co-ordinate
and improve air pollution monitoring in London and is operated and
managed by
the Environmental Research Group (ERG) at King’s
College London.
Senator House |
The Barbican |
The table below gives a summary of the monitoring that is
currently undertaken in the City using continuous
analysers.
|
Site Address |
Site Classification |
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) |
|
Speed House, Barbican Centre |
Urban Background |
ü |
|
St. Bartholomew’s Hospital courtyard |
Urban Centre |
ü |
|
St. Dunstan’s Church, Fleet Street |
Roadside |
ü |
|
St. Andrew’s Church, Queen Victoria Street |
Roadside |
ü |
|
Guinness Trust Estate, Mansell Street. |
Roadside |
ü |
Trends in air quality
Annual reports for the last eight years have been
produced which show recent trends in air quality in the
City. These can be accessed by clicking on the links
below.
Download the 2009 Annual Air Report (768kb)
Download the 2008 Annual Air Report (656kb)
Download the 2007 Annual Air
Report (579kb)
Download the 2006 Annual Air
Report (876kb)
Download the 2005 Annual Air
Report (358kb)
Download the 2004 Annual Air Report
(646kb)
Download the 2003 Annual Air Report
(412kb)
Download the 2002 Annual Air
Report (275kb)
Chimney height approval - industrial and commercial
chimneys
Under the Clean Air Act 1993, certain chimneys serving
industrial or business furnaces or boilers require approval from
the City of London before they are used. This is to ensure that the
proposed chimney is high enough to allow adequate dispersion of the
flue gases. Chimney height approval is required in addition to any
other necessary permissions e.g. planning permission or building
regulation approval.
The procedure applies to chimneys serving commercial or
industrial furnaces/boilers used to burn the following fuels;
- Pulverised fuel;
- Any other solid matter at a rate of 45.4 kilograms/hour or
more;
- Any liquid or gaseous matter at a rate of 366.4 kilowatts/hour
or more.
Chimney height applications
There is no charge for a chimney height application. An
application form can be downloaded via the link below or is
available from the address below that. The City of London will
determine the application within 28 days of receipt. Further
information may be required during the application process.
Download an application form for chimney height
approval (23kb)
Applicants should use the "3rd Edition of the Clean Air Act
Memorandum on Chimney Heights" for guidance in order to establish
the height of any proposed chimney. This document is published by
Her Majesty’s Stationery Office (HMSO).
For further information, please contact:
Edward Haythornthwaite
Technical Officer
City of London
Department of Markets and Consumer Protection
P.O. Box 270
Guildhall
London EC2P 2EJ
Tel 020 7332 1593
Fax 020 7332 1623
publicprotection@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Further information – air quality
information links
Further information about the effects of air quality can be
found on the following websites:
www.airtext.info
airTEXT is a free
service, which allows you to sign up for pollution alerts to warn
you when air pollution levels are expected to be high. The
service is aimed at people who are most likely to be affected by
air pollution, such as those with heart or breathing
conditions.
You can choose to receive the alert by text, voice mail or email
either on the evening before or the morning of days when high
levels are forecast.
www.walkit.com
This route planning website allows you to generate walking
routes which avoid roads with typically high levels of
pollution.
www.environmental-protection.org.uk
Environmental Protection UK
This is a charity that is involved in environmental campaigning,
producing educational resources and the formulation of policy. This
site contains fact sheets on air quality and other forms of
pollution.
www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/air/air-quality
Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs
This contains the latest Government policy and advice on air
quality.
www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Environment Agency
The Environment Agency regulates emissions from large industrial
processes such as power stations.
www.londonair.org.uk
Environmental Research Group (ERG).
ERG maintain the London Air Quality Network. The site shows daily
pollution levels across London.
www.airquality.co.uk
National Air Quality Information Archive
This site provides air quality data from the National Air Quality
Monitoring Network and other useful information on air quality.
www.tfl.gov.uk/lez
London low emission zone.
This site provides the latest information on the London low
emission zone.
www.who.int
World Health Organisation.
This site provides information on the health effects of air
pollution.