Air Quality

This site tells you the current air quality in the Borough, and what this means for those of us who live or work in Barnsley. The site also has information on the causes and sources of air pollution, and the measures being undertaken to improve air quality within the Borough.

This information is supplied to you by Regulatory Services, Barnsley MBC. Air Pollution is measured at several monitoring stations within the Borough. Information is collected directly from the monitoring stations five times throughout the day, so that this air pollution bulletin can be regularly updated.

The Air Pollution level within the Borough is currently:
Low (2)

Based on the highest reading within the borough
This reading will be updated shortly

Barnsley’s air quality data are also displayed on the e@SYCONNECTS TV portal. This service is targeted at those residents who do not have internet access, and is currently available via Sky digital satellite and Telewest and ntl digital cable in South Yorkshire.

As air pollution increases, individuals sensitive to air pollutants may notice effects. Mild effects may be noticed when air pollution is Moderate. When air pollution is High or Very High, sensitive individuals may need to take action to avoid or reduce these effects. Explanations of low, moderate, high and very high air pollution can be obtained from the UK National Air Quality Archive (http://www.airquality.co.uk/archive/standards.php#band)
In order to calculate the reading, the Council continuously monitors concentrations of the important polluting gases carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ground-level ozone, sulphur dioxide, as well as fine inhalable particles (PM10 particles).

The latest readings for each pollutant are:

Further Information:

Further information on Barnsley's current and past air quality, along with measures being undertaken to improve the quality of the air we breathe, can be obtained from the Pollution Control section of Barnsley MBC.

NEW!! - Barnsley’s Annual Progress Report 2007 (.pdf,400kb) discusses the progress in improving our air quality.

Consultation

The Council has recently completed the latest report into the Borough’s air quality, and is now required to consult on the findings. A link to this report is given below and comments are welcomed. Consultation on this document runs until 14th September 2007.

The Detailed Assessment 2007 (.pdf 904KB) report details and discusses the air quality in the Harborough Hills Road area, along with the junction of Burton Road / Rotherham Road. The report concludes that Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) will be required in the Harborough Hill and Burton Road / Rotherham Road area, due to airbourne pollution concentrations exceeding an air quality standard for the polluting gas nitrogen dioxide.

A Non Technical Summary (.pdf 100KB) of the Detailed Assesment ia also available.

Comments should be sent to:

Pollution Control
Regulatory Services
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
PO Box 602
BARNSLEY
S70 9FB

Tel: (01226) 772468
Email: regulatoryservices@barnsley.gov.uk

• Air Quality Monitoring Page
• Air quality Objectives
• air quality management
• Air Quality Smoke Control
• Pollutants
• Air Pollution Graphs
• Industrial Air Pollution Control
• contacts and Further information
• FAQ