West Berkshire Council 2017 Air Quality Annual Status Report (ASR) In fulfilment of Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 Local Air Quality Management August 2017 LAQM Annual Status Report 2017 West Berkshire Council Local Authority Suzanne McLaughlin Officer Public Protection Partnership Department (Environmental Quality Team) West Berkshire Council, Market Street, Address Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 5LD Telephone 01635 503242 E-mail
[email protected] Report Reference WBASR 2017 number Date August 2017 LAQM Annual Status Report 2017 West Berkshire Council Executive Summary: Air Quality in Our Area Air Quality in West Berkshire Air pollution is associated with a number of adverse health impacts. It is recognised as a contributing factor in the onset of heart disease and cancer. Additionally, air pollution particularly affects the most vulnerable in society: children and older people, and those with heart and lung conditions. There is also often a strong correlation with equalities issues, because areas with poor air quality are also often the less affluent areas1,2. The annual health cost to society of the impacts of particulate matter alone in the UK is estimated to be around £16 billion3. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is the main pollutant of concern. The levels in 2016 have shown general increase on 2015 levels. There was an exceedance of the ratified 3 continuous monitiored NO2 annual mean in 2016. The level was 41.7 µg/m so did exceed the Air Quality objective level of 40 µg/m3 . There were 21 exceedances of the 1-hour objective. This exceeded the objective permitted level of 18 exceedances. For 2016 the ratified and adjusted diffusion tubes annual mean levels did show levels above the objective at 6 locations (7 tubes) .