Action Plan - NO2 Air Pollution
An action plan has been developed for the Air Quality Management Area declared on the 31st December 2000. The Air Quality Management Area was declared following a review and assessment of air quality which predicted that the national objective for nitrogen dioxide would not be achieved within certain areas of the city centre.
Action Plan – Executive Summary
Summary Air Quality Action Plan
What is an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA)?
Edinburgh’s Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) includes all the places where the annual average concentration of nitrogen dioxide is currently predicted not to meet set target for 2005. An Action Plan has been produced, focussing on the AQMA, and includes actions to improve air quality. Air Quality Management Area Map .
Is Edinburgh the only place to have an AQMA?
No. Over 100 cities and many towns within the UK have declared AQMAs. These include Glasgow and Aberdeen. Many cities have also declared much larger areas. While Edinburgh is predicted to fail this nitrogen dioxide standard in the AQMA, other cities will also not meet other standards set out under the National Air Quality Strategy.
Why is there an air quality standard?
The National Air Quality Strategy currently sets air quality standards. Its main objective is to ensure that everyone is able to enjoy an acceptable level of air quality in public places. This level should pose no significant risk to human health or quality of life, and carry no unacceptable social or economic costs.
Edinburgh meets all the standards except the annual average for nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ) of 40 micrograms per metre cubed set for 2005.
Where does nitrogen dioxide come from?
Nitrogen dioxide is formed in a city environment from a build up of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Studies in Edinburgh have shown that 88 percent of nitrogen oxides come from road transport, with the remaining 12 percent coming from domestic heating and Edinburgh International Airport. Different vehicles give off different amounts of nitrogen oxides. Larger and older vehicles, particularly diesel, produce more nitrogen oxides than new vehicles. New vehicles are ‘cleaner’ because of new technology, such as catalytic converters
Why is nitrogen dioxide a problem?
Air pollution is not a problem to healthy people unless it is increased to levels rarely seen in Edinburgh. However, it can cause problems to those who already have heart or lung conditions such as asthma, smoker’s bronchitis or heart disease.
What are we doing to improve air quality?
The Air Quality Action Plan has been produced to reduce pollution levels in Edinburgh’s AQMA. Actions range from changes to traffic management at key sites to working with city vehicle operators to clean up vehicle fleets. See the action plan for more details.