Air pollution and air quality is of rising public health concern. It's an invisible threat to health not just the environment. There are several different air pollutants, but the main ones which affect our health are nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulates (PM10 and PM2.5).
The UK and the EU have set limits for the maximum allowed levels of different air pollutants
Defra provide a five day air pollution forecast with related health advice
You can also view the most recent air quality status reports here
In Rossendale there are currently exceedances of nitrogen dioxide from vehicle emissions in one area of the valley which is a small section of pavement fronted residential property on Grane Road, Haslingden. This is called an air quality management area and there is an action plan being developed to work towards reducing levels of nitrogen dioxide in this area. But we also need the public on our side. Please try to avoid driving along Grane Road to and from Blackburn and use the by-bass and motorway instead to keep pollution away from residential areas.
You can also do the following to help counteract and minimise the harmful effects to health from air pollution:
- Use more public transport
- Use your car less ie share car journeys to/from school with other parents
- Walk and cycle more every little helps
- Change to an electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle
- Don't have garden bonfires and only burn smokeless fuel on domestic stoves as the whole of Rossendale is a Smoke Control area (except for a few outlying rural properties)
- Car sharing
- Think global, act local
There's an interesting Public Health document titled Heath Matters Air Pollution- sources, impacts and actions
Highways England have released a recent interesting read titled Highways England-Our Strategy to Improve Air Quality
Here's an interesting webpage from the Government titled Air quality-explaining air pollution at a glance
The Air Quality Hub also contains lots of information on air quality and pollution
Cleaner Air for a Healthier Life campaign for stronger laws for clean air. The Environmental Policy Forum is a network of environmental professional bodies promoting environmental sustainability and resilience for the public benefit.
From 1st May 2021 the sale of coal and wet wood for household burning is being phased out to cut harmful pollution to human health see Restrictions on the sale of wet wood and coal and Trade Advice Document - Lancashire County Council
In September 2021 the World Health Organisation issued global air quality guidelines which provide recommendations on improved air quality guideline levels WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines
Our indoor air quality is also very important and some people spend 90% of their time indoors. This guidance aims to raise awareness of good air quality in our homes and workplaces and how you can achieve this Overview | Indoor air quality at home | Guidance | NICE
Lancashire County Council also have lots of air quality information on their website
Another interesting read is the Chief medical Officers Annual Report 2022 Air Pollution Executive Summary and Recommendations
Global Action Plan have an interesting document titled Relight my Fire: Investigating the true cost of wood burning stoves and they have a very informative website Clean Air Hub | Global Action Plan
Also see Just how bad is air pollution for your health? - Impact on Urban Health
Please email envhealth@rossendalebc.gov.uk if you require further information or have questions on our local air quality