Air quality

Perth Air Quality Website plaudits

Published Date: 27/10/2011

This site was recently highlighted as one of the best air quality websites in the UK by the trade journal "Air Quality Bulletin". PKC's site came 6th in the UK out of several hundred sites with the reviewer being particularly impressed by the design/content and our kids pages.

New PKC air quality report

Published Date: 27/10/2011

Perth and Kinross Council recently published our Air Quality Progress report which analyses our monitoring data for the whole council area in 2010 and gives progress with our air quality action plan - the document can be downloaded from the Air quality reports page.

Air pollution modelling in Perth

Published Date: 27/10/2011

We are currently producing a city wide model of air quality in the city the results of which will be published soon. This uses a technique called dispersion modelling to predict concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and small particles from road traffic across the city. The model will be very detailed including an innovate approach to measuring road speed data that using GPS tracking technology. The model will help us better understand air quality in the city and make it possible for us to test the potential success of action plan measures we could introduce.

Air Quality Pollutant Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: 1990-2009

Published Date: 27/10/2011

The UK Government and Devolved Administrations recently published the latest air pollutant emissions inventory for the UK. This document analyses all major sources of air pollution in the UK and provides information on historical trends in emissions. The report shows that the main sources of air pollution in the UK are road transport, power generation and industry. The report can be downloaded from http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/library/reports?report_id=680

Trends in NO_x and NO₂ emissions and ambient measurements in the UK

Published Date: 27/10/2011

A recent research study commissioned by the UK government has looked at the reasons why NO₂ concentrations have not reduced by the amount expected over the past decade or so. Emission projections for the UK have long predicted that NO_x (the main precursor to NO₂) would fall as European vehicle emission standards have improved. Despite the Euro standards gradually improving, NO₂ has not fallen for several years. This report indicates that the problem could lie with our understanding of emissions from diesel vehicles, but highlights that a significant amount of work is needed. The uncertainty in our understanding these types of emissions is important to councils like PKC as we have to model these emissions from time to time. This means that any future work to improve understanding of diesel emissions will make our local models more accurate. The full report can be downloaded from http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/reports/cat05/1108251149_110718_AQ0724_Final_report.pdf [PDF 5 MB]

Bus and freight operators respond to air quality evidence request

Published Date: 27/10/2011

On 21st February 2011 the Department for Transport (DfT) issued evidence requests on how emissions of harmful air pollutants from Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and buses could be best reduced. The evidence requests took the form of an online questionnaire on the DfT consultation website. Comments for the bus evidence request were received from 30 businesses, public bodies and political groupings. This is important to PKC as buses and freight vehicles are an important source of air pollution in the city of Perth. This document summarises the responses received and can be downloaded from http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/reports/cat15/1108181014_reducing-impact-hgv-buses-air-quality.pdf  [PDF 126 KB]

Air Pollution in the UK 2010: UK's Annual Report to the European Commission

Published Date: 27/10/2011

The UK's annual air quality compliance report for 2010 is published by Defra and the Devolved Administrations today. This report summarises the UK's 2010 submission on air quality under Directives 2008/50/EC and 2004/107/EC to the EU Commission, presenting air quality modelling data and measurements from national air pollution monitoring networks. The submission and accompanying spreadsheet questionnaire can be downloaded from http://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/gb/eu/annualair/envtom4wa

There is a summarised version of the report, "Air Pollution in the UK 2010 - Compliance Assessment Summary" and the full report, both of which can be downloaded in full from http://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/gb/eu/annualair/envtom4wa

Air Pollution Detectives launched

Published Date: 27/10/2011

Scottish Government, in partnership with Glow, Scotland's online education community and AEA, is pleased to announce the launch of our "Air Pollution Detectives" website. The development is a fun introduction to air pollution and climate change issues aimed at the 8-11 year old age range but open to all! It was developed with feedback and input from children themselves and includes fun graphics, audio, quiz and worksheets. Give it a try!

http://www.scottishairquality.co.uk/children

Publication of the Scottish Air Quality Database Brochure for 2010

Published Date: 27/10/2011

The Scottish Air Quality Database Brochure for 2010 has now been published. The brochure provides a summary of the latest air quality monitoring results for Scotland - together with an update on project progress including website improvements, air quality mapping and air quality trends. The brochure also includes information on the eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano on the 20th March 2010. Download it from http://www.scottishairquality.co.uk/documents/reports2/309110404_AQ_scot_14_lowres.pdf  [PDF 1 MB]

Air Pollution: Action in a Changing Climate - PKC highlighted as best practice

Published Date: 27/10/2011

A recent UK government report concludes that the UK could save £24 billion through joint measures to help prevent both air pollution and climate change. The findings were published in 'Air Pollution: Action in a Changing Climate' published by Defra and the Devolved Administrations. PKC's air quality action plan was highlighted as an example of UK good practice in linking air quality and climate change in council policy.

For more information, you can download the full report from http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb13378-air-pollution.pdf [PDF 2.77 MB]

Perth & Kinross link air quality and climate change

Published Date: 08/10/2010

Perth & Kinross Council was recently mentioned in a UK Government report for making a meaningful link between Climate Change and local air quality policy in our Air Quality Action Plan. You can read the full Defra report on their website - Air Pollution: Action in a Changing Climate [PDF: 2.77 MB].

Perth & Kinross air quality progress report

Published Date: 08/10/2010

The latest Perth & Kinross air quality report is now available to download from the reports page. The report was recently highlighted as an example of best practice by Defra.

New website launched

Published Date: 08/10/2010

The new website for Perth & Kinross is now live.

This website provides the latest information about air quality in the region and also allows you download current and historic air quality data.

A dedicated section for children has lots of information aimed specifically for them, as well as a quiz!

The "Action on Air" section provides information about what actions are being taken in Perth & Kinross to control pollution, and how you can help.