Following publication of the first national 'Air Quality Strategy' in 1997, local authorities have been required to carry out a series of assessments of the air quality in their areas.
As part of the ongoing review and assessment of air quality throughout the city, the Council revoked the two Air Quality Management Orders made in 2001 (for nitrogen dioxide and PM10 particles). They were replaced by a new order on 1 July 2010 that retains three of the earlier Air Quality Management Areas and made three new ones in places where the Council believes that the annual average nitrogen dioxide air quality objective is not being achieved. Full details are included in the downloadable files on this page.
The reports of the assessments that have been carried out are described below and the more recent reports can be downloaded from the panel on the right of this page.
The reports cover issues of a technical nature and are aimed primarily at those with an interest in air quality issues, including neighbouring local authorities, government agencies, academic institutions, utilities and local community action groups. A glossary explaining abbreviations and technical terms is also available for downloading.
The details below show a summary of what has occurred so far.
Round 1
This round was divided into 4 stages
- Stage 1 (May 1999) Identified major sources of each of the seven pollutants to be assessed under the guidance published by central government
- Stage 2 (June 2000) Concluded that benzene, 1,3-butadiene, carbon monoxide and lead would not exceed air quality objective
- Stage 3 (December 2000) First ‘detailed assessment’ of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), PM10 particles and sulphur dioxide, resulting in declaration of Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) for NO2 and PM10 particles (and the conclusion that sulphur dioxide would not exceed the air quality objective).
- Stage 4 (July 2002) Confirmed findings of Stage 3 report and need for AQMAs
- Air Quality Action Plan (January 2004) Presented steps to be taken to address objective exceedences for NO2 and PM10 particles
Round 2
- Updating & Screening Assessment (November 2003) Updated monitoring data and confirmed that concerns still existed with NO2 and PM10 particles
- Detailed Assessment (November 2004) Concluded that current AQMA for NO2 was appropriate but that AQMA for PM10 particles could be revoked – however, this would be delayed until the outcome of the EU review of particle standards was known.
Round 3
- Updating & Screening Assessment II (September 2006) Identified continuing interest in NO2 and PM10 particles
- Detailed Assessment II (August 2008) Concluded that only annual mean NO2 was an issue (although additional areas of concern were identified) and that the PM10 particle Order could now be revoked.
Round 4
- Updating & Screening Assessment III (October 2009) Web-based reporting process looking at sources rather than pollutants. Outcome was for continuing interest in NO2
- Air Quality Progress Report (October 2010) Report of monitoring data collected in 2009 and including progress with the Council’s Air Quality Action Plan and other strategies to improve air quality.
If you require further details about air quality, or copies of the earlier reports, please telephone the environmental protection team on 0113 2224406 or email us at env.health@leeds.gov.uk