Pollution Control – Local Air Quality

• Local Air Quality Monitoring and the Pollutants of Concern
• Local Air Quality Management
• Haringey’s Air Quality Action Plan
• What you can do to reduce air pollution
• Air Quality and Walking
• Air Pollution Alerts
• Air Quality and Planning
• Biomass Boiler Guidance
• Summary of pollution control legislation applicable to the operation of biomass boilers
• Contact

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Local Air Quality Monitoring and the Pollutants of Concern

Haringey Council has been monitoring the air quality in the borough for a number of years. Monitoring is carried out to ensure compliance with the Government's air quality objectives. Air quality in Haringey is monitored using diffusion tubes and continuous analysers.

The stations monitor:

• Fine Particles (PM10)
• PM2.5
• Nitrogen Oxides
• Ozone

There are a total of seven pollutants for which the Government has set objective levels. The pollutants of concern in Haringey are PM10 and Nitrogen Dioxide - monitoring has indicated that the objective levels for these pollutants will not be achieved across Haringey by their target date.

The two continuous monitoring sites are affiliated to the Automatic Urban and Rural Network (AURN); the national air quality network run by Defra, who use the data to report back on the UK’s air quality to the European Commission. In addition the continuous sites form part of the London Air Quality Network (LAQN). This network is run and managed by the Environmental Research Group (ERG) at Kings College, London.

There are currently 14 diffusion tubes located across the borough. All passively monitor and so give an indication of the levels of nitrogen dioxide.

PM10

Fine particulates or PM10 - primarily from road vehicles and domestic boilers in Haringey, as well as demolition and construction sites. The health effects include irritation to airways and worsening of heart and lung disease and can also lead to premature death in those already ill.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂)

Part of a group of gases called nitrous oxides, source apportionment work has shown that nitrogen dioxide in Haringey is primarily from road transport and domestic boilers. Health effects include an irritation of airways with respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath and cough. Inflames the lining of the lungs and can increase asthma symptoms at high concentrations.

Haringeys’ data from the continuous analysers can be found in the Data Archive Page from Defra (external link).

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Local Air Quality Management

Under Part IV on the Environment Act 1995, local authorities are required to periodically review and assess air quality in their area and identify areas where the air quality objectives are not likely to be met. The air quality objectives are set out for the seven pollutants in the Air Quality (England) Regulations 2000. The objectives are based on the health effects of air pollution. For areas where the air quality objectives are not likely to be achieved, local authorities have to declare Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) and produce Air Quality Action Plans (AQAP) detailing measures to work towards the achieving the air quality objectives. Following extensive review and assessment of all seven pollutants, Haringey council declared the whole borough an AQMA for the pollutants of PM10 and NO₂ in July 2001.

Haringey, like all authorities with AQMAs, has to produce annual reports to both Defra and the Greater London Authority (GLA) to show trends in air pollution and progress towards achievement of the air quality objectives for the pollutants concern.

Copies of the latest air quality reports can be found below:

• Air Quality Modelling Report 2009 (PDF, 2MB)
• Air Quality Updating and Screening Assessment 2009 (PDF, 632KB)
• Air Quality Progress Report 2010 (PDF, 634KB)
• Air Quality Updating and Screening Assessment 2012 (PDF, 2MB) - this report has been submitted to both Defra and the GLA as we are required to report annually on local air quality in the authority area. The report reviews the monitoring data to January 2012. It concludes that the NO₂ objective is being exceeded in the Councils area and that the council was correct in the decision to declare an AQMA for NO₂ and PM10. These exceedences at roadside locations are attributed to vehicle emissions and it is at these locations that the NO₂ objective is not achieved.

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Haringey’s Air Quality Action Plan

The first AQAP was published in 2003. In July 2011 the AQAP was revised and following a 12 week consultation period was adopted by the Council. This second AQAP is aimed at reducing NO₂ and PM10 emissions, primarily through transport, non-transport and awareness raising measures.

An integrated approach to improving local air quality at priority locations has been adopted in the new Air Quality Action Plan 2010-2018 (PDF, 6MB). This will help to ensure that policies and initiatives related to air quality, transport and planning are balanced and coordinated across the Council. In the long term, tackling air quality issues together achieves greater cost savings and health benefits.

The main objectives of the Action Plan are to:

• demonstrate the Council’s commitment to improving air quality and lead by example
• provide an overview of local key policies with respect to air quality
• improve air quality whilst maintaining economic stability and to explore wider economic opportunities
• involve all relevant council departments and external agencies where appropriate, to ensure a balanced and integrated approach in Haringey
• improve the quality of life and health of the residents and workforce of Haringey

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What You Can do to Reduce Air Pollution

Outside

In Haringey the main source of air pollution is from vehicles.

The suggestions below collectively work towards improving air quality:

• Use alternative forms of transport: walk, ride a bike or use public transport. Walking and using a bicycle to get around has the added benefit of keeping you fit
• Be organised and plan your errands into one journey where possible. Sign up to AirTEXT and use a walking route planner (Walk It website - external link) to plan your route
• If you have to drive, accelerate gradually and keep to the speed limit
• Drive less - particularly on days when the air quality is poor. If you have to use your car, try not to use it at least one day a week - instead use alternative forms of transport
• Keep your vehicle properly maintained and serviced. Keep your tyres properly inflated
• Do not sit with your engine idling
• When looking to purchase a new vehicle, look for lowest-polluting vehicle or even a zero-emission electric car

At home

There are many ways air quality can be improved in the home through reducing energy consumption and choosing sustainable products. Using less natural gas and electricity (power plants burn fossil fuels to generate electricity) not only reduces energy bills but reduces the amount of pollutants emitted. There are many products in the home that pollute the air when used and can trigger asthma attacks or worsen respiratory illnesses.

The suggestions below will help reduce exposure in your home and many have the added benefits of saving money and lowering CO₂ emissions:

• Turn lights off when you leave a room
• Use energy saving light bulbs
• Do not leave electrical products on standby - such as the television or hi-fi equipment
• Consider alternative energy solutions like solar or wind
• Fully insulate your roof and home where possible
• Have your gas appliances and heater regularly inspected and maintained
• Insulate your water heater and any accessible hot water pipes
• Do not burn wood or coal in an open fire place. Use either an exempt appliance or approved fuel. See the Defra Smoke Control information pages (external link) for more information
• Turn the radiators or heating thermostat down and put on an extra layer
• Recycle paper, plastic, metals, glass and compostable organic materials
• When ready to replace an appliance, look for low energy star rated products
• Choose products that use sustainable materials
• Use reusable grocery/shopping bags

At Work

A good portion of every week is spent at work. The suggestions below keep the workplace environmentally friendly and reduce emissions:

• A Carpool
• Use alternative ways of working, such as work from home one day a week
• If your workplace doesn’t recycle, start a recycling program
• Print and photocopy on both sides of paper
• Turn off office equipment, computers, printers and fax machines after hours
• Utilise the power of the sun: open the blinds and turn off the lights
• Dress for the weather and adjust layers before adjusting the thermostat

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Air Quality and Walking

Tackling poor air quality remains a challenging task given that Haringey, like other London boroughs continues to breach the air quality objectives for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and respirable particulates (PM10).

The dominant source of NO₂ and PM10 emissions in Haringey is road transport. The 2008 London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory states that 57 percent of emissions of PM10 and 50 percent of NOx emissions in Haringey are from road vehicles. Your emissions of NOx, particulates and CO₂ from either your journey or vehicle can be calculated at the Travel Footprint website (external link)

Leaving your car at home and switching to walking or cycling instead can be very beneficial for you and the environment. You can find more information on health benefits, local walking routes and useful resources on our walking page. To plan your walking route to avoid polluted roads, calculate your carbon saving and step count, log onto:the Walk It website (external link).

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Air pollution alerts

AirTEXT is a free service that alerts members when air pollution is poor. See the AirTEXT page for more information and find out how to register.

Air Quality and Planning

Haringey has been declared an Air Quality Management Area for the pollutants of nitrogen dioxide and PM10 (respirable particles). Consideration of air quality, and in particular these two pollutants, must be given to the design and location of new developments. Air Quality is a material planning consideration and in some instances an Air Quality Assessment (AQA) will be required. For all developments adjacent to main roads of air pollution concern and air quality hotspot areas, consideration must be given to exposure reduction and mitigation against poor air quality. London boroughs, in partnership with London Councils and the GLA, have produced an Air Quality and Planning Guidance document for developers,. which can be found on the London Councils Website (external link).

If you need advice, please contact the council’s air quality officer.

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Biomass Boiler Guidance

The burning of wood in heating appliances results in the release of pollution emissions that impact on air quality in Haringey.

Levels of emissions in flue gases depend on the biomass boiler design, the fuel characteristics and how the boiler is operated. The impact of emissions is related to the dispersion of emissions, influenced by the height of the boiler exhaust stack.

The Council has powers under The Clean Air Act to request the measurement of dust emissions from the biomass boiler exhaust stack and require an arrestment plant to be installed to control dust emissions.

The technical details of the biomass boiler, emission concentrations, fuel specification, fuel storage and delivery arrangements in addition to a determination of stack height must be submitted to Environmental Health for approval.

The Biomass Boiler information request form (Word, 71KB) should be completed and included with your planning application if planning permission is required.

• For guidance, download and view the Biomass and Air Quality Information for Developers (PDF 283 KB)

A detailed air quality assessment will be required for biomass boiler installations.

The operation of a biomass boiler may require regulation under the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations and the Waste Incineration Directive by either Haringey Council or the Environment Agency. This is dependent on the size of the boiler and type of biomass fuel - see the table below for a summary.

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Summary of pollution control legislation applicable to the operation of biomass boilers

MW = megawatt, thermal
LA-PPC = Local Authority Pollution Prevention and Control
IPPC = Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (Environment Agency)
WID = Waste Incineration Directive (Local Authority and Environment Agency)

Fuel use

The characteristics of the fuel used in biomass boilers has an important influence on pollution emissions. These include the origin of the fuel, chemical and physical properties. We require wood fuel used in biomass boilers to meet recognised fuel quality standards in particular CEN/TS 14961:2005.

Generally wood fuel of a consistent size and density is more favourable in terms of lower pollution emissions - wood pellets display these characteristics. Fuel quality control must be considered to guarantee that a constant supply of good quality wood is delivered and used throughout the operation of biomass boiler.

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Contact

Commercial Environmental Health
Regulatory Services
Place and Sustainability Directorate
Units 271-272,
Lee Valley Technopark,
Ashley Road,
Tottenham
N17 9LN

Tel 020 8489 1000
Fax 020 8489 5133
Email enforcement@haringey.gov.uk

Attached Files

Useful External Links

The following links are not part of the Haringey Council website. Please read our legal disclaimer before using these links

• DEFRA - Latest Pollution Summary
• DEFRA - Air Quality
• The Environment Agency - Air Quality
• Kings College London - London Air
• DEFRA - UK AIR
• TFL - Emissions
• TFL - Switch off you engine