Latest Monthly Pollution Monitoring Results in Charnwood

AIR QUALITY MONITORING RESULTS FROM AROUND THE BOROUGH

1. RESULTS FROM THE LOUGHBOROUGH AIR QUALITY MONITORING STATION

If you require any further information contact a member of the Environmental Protection Team on 01509 634636 or [email protected]

The Loughborough Air Quality Monitoring Station takes readings of air quality every 15 minutes using the most accurate technology currently available. Its purpose is to identify short-term changes to allow comparisons against statutory standards and to improve our predictions of future changes in air quality. The monitoring technology used is considered accurate to within 10%.

The monitoring station is located near to the Dishley Island on the A6 on the northern edge of Loughborough. As well as providing air quality for the local vicinity, results from the site are also used in computer modeling to predict air quality levels in other areas of the Borough.

The results below are the maximum-recorded levels of the three main airborne pollutants compared against levels considered by medical experts to have a direct impact on health.

Please note that in line with the National Air Quality Strategy all pollutant concentrations in this report are in mg/m3 = microgrammes of pollutant per cubic metre of air

SUMMARY OF RESULTS JAN – JUL 2012

SULPHUR DIOXIDE

Nationally Accepted Health Standards Maximum Local levels 266mg/m3 over 15 minutes 156.9µg/m3 on 29/5/12 at (This level must not be exceeded more than 10.00 35 times a year) No recorded exceedences in 2012 so far. 125mg/m3 over 24 hours 31.9µg/m3 on 17/1/12 (This level must not be exceeded more than 3 No recorded exceedences in times a year) 2012 so far. 350µg/m3 over 1 hour 55.86µg/m3 on 17/1/12 at (This level must not be exceeded more that 24 12.00 times a year) No recorded exceedences in 2012 so far. 20mg/m3 over a year to protect ecosystems 2.66µg/m3 (average between 01/01/2012 & 17/7/2012)

NITROGEN DIOXIDE

Nationally Accepted Health Standards Maximum Local Levels 200mg/m3 over 1 hour 93.6µg/m3 at 20.00 on (This level must not be exceeded more than 22/5/2012 18 times a year) 0 recorded exceedences in 2012 40mg/m3 over a year 20.1µg/m3 (average between 01/01/2012 & 17/1/2012) *

PM10 (Respirable dust)

Nationally Accepted Health Standards Maximum Local levels 50mg/m3 over 24 hours 48.1mg/m3 on 31/1/2012 (This level must not be exceeded more than No recorded exceedences in 35 times a year) 2012 so far. 40mg/m3 over a year 16.9µg/m3 (average between 01/01/2012 & 17/7/12)

COMMENTS ON LATEST RESULTS

No exceedences of the air quality objective for nitrogen dioxide have occurred and only one exceedence of the sulphur dioxide occurred in 2009 (the only previous one was in the spring of 2001). There had been 5 exceedences of the particulates objective (PM10) in 2011. Usually problems are associated with generally stable atmospheric conditions (wind speeds of less than 1m/s) and indeed the breaches occurred with very still, weather.

HISTORICAL RESULTS

SULPHUR 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 DIOXID E 15 minute 0 0 1 0 0 0 average exceedence exceedence exceedence exceedence exceedence exceedence s s s s s

24 hour average 0 0 0 0 0 0 exceedence exceedence exceedence exceedence exceedence exceedence s s s s s s Annual average 0µg/m3 0µg/m3 0µg/m3 0µg/m3 2.7µg/m3 2.7µg/m3 Data Capture 97.8% 94.8% 95% 63.4%* 86.9% 89.4%

SULPHUR 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 DIOXIDE 15 minute 0 0 0 0 1 average exceedence exceedence exceedence exceedence exceedence s s s s 24 hour average 0 0 0 0 0 exceedence exceedence exceedence exceedence exceedence s s s s s Annual average 4.0g/m3 3.7g/m3 5.4g/m3 5.7mg/m3 7.4mg/m3 Data Capture 66% * * data capture - insufficient for data to be reliable Sulphur dioxide readings from this station have been subjected to a correction factor of 2.86 when converting from ppb into µg/m3 up to the end of 2005. In future an updated correction factor of 2.66 will be used.

NITROGEN 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 DIOXIDE 1 hour average 0 0 0 0 0 0 exceedences exceedences exceedences exceedences exceedences exceedences Annual 24.8 28.7 28.7µg/m3 26.7µg/m3 30.6µg/m3 26.7µg/m average Data capture 97.7% 92.9% 97.7% 97.6% 93.2% 91.9%

2005 2004 2003 2002 2001

1 hour average 0 0 0 0 0 exceedences exceedences exceedences exceedences exceedences

Annual 33.0µg/m3 29.7g/m3 34.9g/m3 32.6mg/m3 31.2mg/m3 average Data capture 66% * n/a n/a n/a n/a * data capture - insufficient for data to be reliable

Nitrogen dioxide readings from this station have been subjected to a correction factor of 2.05 when converting from ppb into µg/m3 up to the end of 2005. In future an updated correction factor of 1.91 will be used.

PM10 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 24 hour 5 1 4 1 8 exceedences 5 average exceedences exceedence exceedences exceedence exceedences Annual 19.1 17.8µg/m3 17.8. µg/m3 16.9µg/m3 19.5µg/m3 20.8µg/m average Data 97.5% 94.8% ∞ 94.9% 95% 90.2% 92.5% capture

2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 * 24 hour 4 2 20 5 7 exceedences average exceedences exceedences exceedences exceedences

Annual 21.6µg/m3 20.4g/m3 24.4 g/m3 22.5mg/m3 22.6mg/m3 average Data 66. % * 68.7% * 99% 99.9% 99.5% capture NB the PM10 objective must not be exceeded more than 35 times a year * data capture only approx 66% - insufficient for data to be reliable 2 RESULTS FROM AUTOMATIC MONITORING STATIONS BAXTER GATE LOUGHBOROUGH AND MELTON ROAD SYSTON

Two automatic monitoring stations were installed in 2007 in Loughborough and Syston which measure levels of nitrogen dioxide in the air and give readings every 15 minutes The stations are sited on the A6 and The Melton Road respectively. They are located next to two very busy roads both in Air Quality Management Areas. They became operational in November 2007. The results from 2008 – 2011 are available below.

MELTON ROAD SYSTON

Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide: Comparison with Annual Mean Objective ( 40  g/m 3 )

2008 2009 2010 2011 Annual Mean Concentration 34.4 32.5 34.4 30.6 (g/m3) Data Capture for full calendar year 97.2 97.2 97.6 94.7 (%)

Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide: Comparison with 1-hour Mean Objective

2008 2009 2010 2011 Number of exceedences of hourly 6 0 0 0 mean (200 g/m3) Data Capture for full calendar year 97.2 97.2 100 94.9 (%)

BAXTER GATE, LOUGHBOROUGH

Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide: Comparison with Annual Mean Objective ( 40  g/m 3 )

2008 2009 2010 2011 Annual Mean Concentration 47.8 42 51.6 53.5 (g/m3) Data Capture for full calendar year 97.6 82.9* 97.5 92.0 (%) * data capture insufficient to be reliable

Results of Automatic Monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide: Comparison with 1-hour Mean Objective

2008 2009 2010 2011 Number of exceedences of hourly 0 0 0 184∞ mean (200 g/m3) Data Capture for full calendar year 97.6 82.9* 99.9 94.5 (%) * data capture insufficient to be reliable ∞ Having compared the output from the analyser against the results of the triplicate diffusion tubes which we have sited at the same location (and taking into consideration previous years monitored results at this location); due to observed discrepancies between results we feel that these exceedences are inaccurate and that there has been a data issue with the analyser during periods of the year. Problems were first encountered with the auto-calibration of the instrument during April and this was followed by intermittent power failures during a period from October through to January 2012. Both issues were served by engineer call-outs with the later resulting in the fitting of a new PSU unit. The dates of the exceedences appear to fall within these periods of disruption to the analyser.

3. RESULTS FROM THE DIFFUSION TUBE MONITORING PROGRAMME – LOUGHBOROUGH AND VILLAGES IN CHARNWOOD

Diffusion tubes record average air pollution levels over each month. They are a relatively inexpensive and reliable means of tracing long-term trends in air quality, although the accuracy of the results can be +/- 25%.

NITROGEN DIOXIDE

MONITORING LIMITS

 A European Community Directive prescribes an hourly limit value and an annual average that must not be exceeded. These limits are legally binding in the UK under the Air Quality Regulations 2000.

Averaging time Air quality standard Compliance date 1 hour 200mg/m-3 not to be 31 December 2005 exceeded more than 18 times in a year Annual mean 40mg/m-3 31 December 2005

MONITORING SITES

Monitoring sites are chosen according to the following categories

Site Categories Description Roadside Sites Sites where maximum concentrations of nitrogen dioxide might expect to be found. Typically next to busy roads, or on less busy roads with tall buildings on either side giving a ‘street canyon’ effect. Urban Background Sites Locations more than 50m from any busy road, where concentrations will have been diluted to a local background level.

The following graphs show the annual average results for nitrogen dioxide over the last few years.

Loughborough Background Sites Annual Average NO2 Results 40

30 E R T

E 25 M

B MARKET PLACE,LOUGHBOROUGH U C BEACON RD,LOUGHBOROUGH R

E 20 ROSEBERY ST,LOUGHBOROUGH P

S DURHAM RD, LOUGHBOROUGH M

A DURHAM RD, LOUGHBOROUGH (real time) R G

O 15 R C I M

0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 YEAR Loughborough Roadside Sites Annual Average NO2 Results

E 40 R T E M

B RATCLIFFE RD,LOUGHBOROUGH U C

SHELTHORPE RD,LOUGHBOROUGH R

E 30 FOREST RD,LOUGHBOROUGH P

S NOTTINGHAM RD,LOUGHBOROUGH

M HAYDON RD, LOUGHBOROUGH A R G O R C I 20 M

0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 YEAR Loughborough Roadside Sites (2) Annual Average NO2 results

ALAN MOSS RD/EPINAL WAY, LOUGHBOROUGH E 60 R EPINAL WAY/LING RD T E M LEICESTER RD,LOUGHBOROUGH C I B

C DERBY RD, LOUGHBOROUGH

DERBY RD/BRISCOE AVE S

M 40 A ALAN MOSS RD/A6 R G O

R HIGH ST,LOUGHBOROUGH C I 30 M ASHBY RD, LOUGHBOROUGH

0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 YEAR

Loughborough Town Centre Annual Average NO2 Results 70.0

50.0 E R T E M

B 40.0

U BAXTERGATE, LOUGHBOROUGH C

R BARROW ST, LOUGHBOROUGH E P

SCHOOL ST, LOUGHBOROUGH S

M FENNEL ST, LOUGHBOROUGH

A 30.0 R G O R C I M

0.0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 YEAR

Syston, Birstall & Thurmaston Roadside Sites Annual Average NO2 results 60

E 40 R T E M

C I MELTON RD TOWN CENTRE,SYSTON B

U MELTON RD/ADJ ST PETERS RD, SYSTON C

R MELTON RD SYSTON 3

E 30 P

LOUGHBOROUGH RD,BIRSTALL S BIRSTALL A6 M A HUMBERSTONE LANE,THURMASTON R G O R C I 20 M

0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 YEAR

The readings for 2009-2010 Birstall A6 have been adjusted to the levels at nearest receptors. The previous years are those at the kerbside. Shepshed & Hathern Sites NO2 Annual Averages

E 40 R T E M

U BRITANNIA ST,SHEPSHED C

R LODGE HOUSE SHEPSHED

E 30 P

ASHBY RD CENTRAL,SHEPSHED S LOUGHBOROUGH RD,HATHERN M A R G O R C I 20 M

0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 YEAR

* The readings for 2008-2010 at Ashby Road Central and 2009-2010 Hathern have been adjusted to the levels at nearest receptors. The previous years are those at the kerbside. BENZENE

MONITORING LIMITS

 An Air Quality Standard of 16.25mg/m-3 running annual mean has been stated in the Air Quality Regulations. This is to be achieved by 31st December 2003. The longer-term aim of the Government was to reduce concentrations of benzene as far as practicable to a level of 3.24 mg/m-3 by 2005.

MONITORING SITES

 Survey sites in Charnwood were located along three busy road sites in Loughborough, and one in the Market Place Loughborough, which is a pedestrian only area.

. Due to the consistent low levels that have been recorded since 1999; a decision to suspend all future benzene monitoring within the Borough was made at the end of 2008. The following table gives the annual mean concentrations for the last three years in which monitoring took place. The survey sites were located along three busy road sites in Loughborough and one in the Market Place which is a pedestrian only area.

Annual Mean Benzene Results, expressed in micrograms per cubic metre

Data capture 2006 2007 2008 Ratcliffe Road, 100% 1.59 1.65 1.47 Loughborough Shelthorpe 100% 1.29 1.36 1.26 Road Loughborough High Street 100% 2.08 2.06 1.63 Loughborough Market Place 100% 0.89 1.09 0.94 Loughborough

OZONE MONITORING LIMITS

 The European Community Directive on ozone obliges Member States to establish ozone-monitoring networks and inform the public when ozone thresholds are exceeded.

 An Air Quality Standard for ozone in the United Kingdom of 100mg/m-3 as a running 8-hour average was proposed in the Government’s National Air Quality Strategy. This standard has not been made legally binding under the Air Quality Regulations 2000 because most ozone affecting the UK comes in from abroad. To ensure that the 100mg/m-3 level is reached will require coordinated action by all European Community member states.

MONITORING SITES

The highest levels of ozone in the UK are typically found in rural areas, so diffusion tube survey sites were located in four villages throughout the Borough, with a comparison site in the pedestrian area in the centre of Loughborough. However a decision to suspend monitoring for Ozone was made at the end of 2008, as several years of monitoring results had been obtained.

The following table shows the latest monthly average results for ozone which cannot be directly compared to the air quality standard 8 hour average.

Annual Mean Ozone Results, expressed in micrograms per cubic metre

Site Data capture 2006 2007 2008 MarketPlace, 2006 91.6% 60.4 52.8 61.5 Loughborough 2007-8 100% Wymeswold 100% 65.5 59.4 72.1 South Croxton 2006-7 100% 64.9 61.9 74.0 2008 91.6% Shepshed 2006-7 100% 72.3 63.9 74.1 2008 91.6% Thurcaston 2006-7 100% 64.6 60.3 68.9 2008 91.6%

SULPHUR DIOXIDE

MONITORING LIMITS

The UK is also under a legal obligation to achieve the limit values contained in the European Union Air Quality Daughter Directive (AQDD), and these have also been included as Air Quality Objectives in the Air Quality Regulations (2000).

Averaging Period Objective To be achieved by 1 hour mean 350mg/m3 (132ppb), not to 31 Dec 2004 be exceeded more than 24 times a year Daily mean 125mg/m3 (47ppb), not to 31 Dec 2004 be exceeded more than 3 times year 15 minute mean 266mg/m3 (100ppb), not to 31 Dec 2005 be exceeded more than 24 times a year

MONITORING SITES

Two diffusion tubes were used to monitor levels at Durham Road and the Market Place, Loughborough. Diffusion tubes were able to monitor monthly average results and so cannot directly be compared the air quality standards.

A decision to suspend future monitoring of sulphur dioxide at these locations at the end of 2008 was made due to the consistently low results since 1999.

Annual Mean Sulphur Dioxide results, expressed in micrograms per cubic metres

Data capture 2006 2007 2008 Market Place 100% 3.4 3.72 4.00 Loughborough Durham Road 100% 3.11 3.11 4.2 Loughborough

If you require any further information contact a member of the Environmental Protection Team on 01509 634636 or contact [email protected]