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Air Quality Review, Monitoring and Assessment Reports
We have a legal obligation to undertake periodic reviews and assessments of air quality in our area. The quality of the air is judged against national air quality objectives for specified pollutants. However, the responsibility for improving air quality nationally rests with the Government.

In order to understand and check that human health based criteria are met, regular monitoring of air pollution is undertaken. Currently, passive monitoring is undertaken across the District using Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion Tubes. These tubes are situated at various locations across the District .

We will produce monitoring reports on an occasional basis, to download the AIR QUALITY MONITORING REPORT 2008  PDF file click here (783KB - 22 August 2011 - PDF Help)

Details of the specified pollutants and objectives can be found within the reports. A review of air quality means considering the levels of pollutants in the air for which objectives are prescribed in Regulations, and estimating likely future levels. An assessment of air quality is where we consider if the estimated levels for the relevant future period are likely to exceed the levels set in the objectives.

Where prescribed air quality objectives are not likely to be met we have to designate those parts of their areas, as air quality management areas, (AQMA's).

In those areas we make further air quality assessments, and draw up Action Plans to improve air quality.

We have already completed a first and second round of review and assessments.

First Round  – 1998 - 2001
We undertook the first round of review and assessment of air quality between 1998 and 2001. This was a three-stage process, which assessed the sources of seven air pollutants of concern to health:
benzene, 1,3 butadiene, carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), fine particulates (PM10) and sulphur dioxide.

We concluded that all Air Quality Objectives were expected to be met by the target dates based on the available information at that time.

To download STAGE 1 REPORT PDF file click here (1584KB - 22 August 2011 - PDF Help)

To download STAGE 2 REPORT PDF file click here (2655KB - 09 May 2012 - PDF Help)

To download STAGE 3 REPORT PDF file click here (329KB - 22 August 2011 - PDF Help)

To download STAGE 3 MAP PDF file click here (10480KB - 22 August 2011 - PDF Help)

To download A30 Honiton nitrogen dioxide validation report PDF file click here (1078KB - 09 May 2012 - PDF Help)

Second Round  – 2003
The second round commenced in 2003.
New Technical Guidance (LAQM.TG (03)), Policy Guidance (LAQM.PG (03)) and Progress Report Guidance (LAQM.PRG (03)) were issued on behalf of Defra in 2003. This guidance sets the framework for the requirements of review and assessment for future years, taking account of experiences from the previous round of review and assessment.

Update and Screening Assessment of Air Quality – 2003
The Updating and Screening Assessment was the first phase of the second round. Similar to Stage One of the first round, we considered the seven pollutants of concern to health and assessed whether Air Quality Objectives for these pollutants would be met. We completed this in July 2003, and concluded no Detailed Assessment of air quality was required and all Air Quality Objectives were expected to be met.

To download the UPDATING & SCREENING ASSESSMENT 2003  PDF file click here (3570KB - 22 August 2011 - PDF Help)

To download LOCATIONS FOR DIFFUSION TUBES 2003        PDF file click here (168KB - 22 August 2011 - PDF Help)

To download INDUSTRIAL SCREENING TOOL RESULTS         PDF file click here (70KB - 22 August 2011 - PDF Help)

Progress Report – 2004

This was completed in May 2004, and concluded that no detailed assessment was required within the District with respect to air quality.
To download the PROGRESS REPORT 2004  PDF file click here (1145KB - 22 August 2011 - PDF Help)

Update and Screening Assessment of Air Quality – 2006

This review considered new emissions sources, and any significant changes to existing emission sources identified in the second round. There have been a number of changes, and we revised modelled background concentration maps, updated future year calculation tools and updates on specific sources (rail, shipping, poultry farms).

Having considered each pollutant and presented evidence to support the assessment of each, we concluded that the air quality objectives for benzene; 1,3-butadiene; carbon monoxide; lead; PM10 and sulphur dioxide will be met. There will be no requirement to undertake a detailed assessment for these pollutants.

Monitored annual mean NO2 concentrations exceeded the AQS objective close to a busy junction within Honiton in 2005. Therefore we carried out a Detailed Assessment for NO2 in Honiton. We are also continuing with monitoring programmes for nitrogen dioxide

To dwnload the UPDATING & SCREENING ASSESSMENT 2006  PDF file click here (1205KB - 22 August 2011 - PDF Help)

Detailed Assessment of Air Quality – 2007

A Detailed Assessment was taken using the Technical Guidance provided by Defra, LAQM.TG(03). Detailed dispersion modelling was undertaken using ADMS-Roads dispersion model from Cambridge Environmental Research Consultants (CERC). Annual mean NO2 concentrations for 2006 and 2010 have been predicted at 68 receptors, specified at façades of the buildings along the road links included in the assessment. Out of 68 modelled receptors, 2 exceeded the annual AQS Objective for NO2 in 2006. For 2006, the maximum concentration, 43 ug/m3, was predicted for a receptor placed at the façade of a building close to Exeter Road. Predicted breaches of the 40 ug/m3 annual AQS Objective for NO2 were restricted to this area of Exeter Road. The modelling predictions for 2010 show no predictions above 36 ug/m3 at any location within the Detailed Assessment area.

Nitrogen dioxide predictions were also made at gird receptors along modelled roads for 2006. The maps of gridded concentrations have been produced in GIS, and concentration contours for 36 ug/m3 and 40 ug/m3 NO2 have been drawn. The maps of the gridded concentrations in 2006 exceeded the annual AQS objective along Exeter Road. The contour maps show by how much and helped us to declare an AQMA, where the relevant exposure applied.

The expert company carrying out the Detailed Assessment recommended that we should:

  • Declare an AQMA under section 83 (1) of the Environment Act 1995. The location should be represented by the 40 ug/m3 contour and by receptor points showing predicted exceedence. Checks should be made that the areas included within the contour lines are representative for the relevant human health exposure. We should also consider residential properties with the 36 ug/m3 contour, to take into account uncertainties associated with modelling and meteorological influences.
  • Continue monitoring NO2 at all the current (2006) diffusion tube locations in order to ensure that any future changes in air quality are detected.
  • Establish additional monitoring for NO2 at new locations close to worse case receptors, using the same methodologies as existing tubes.
  • Select appropriate background diffusion tubes in Honiton away from major roads, but still representative of the urban environment.
  • Establish an appropriate site for the installation of a continuous analyser for NO2.
  • Undertake the Further Assessment to confirm the conclusions of this Detailed Assessment and apportion the source contributions and estimate the reductions in emissions required to achieve the objective.

To download the DETAILED ASSESSMENT 2007  PDF file click here (2142KB - 22 August 2011 - PDF Help)

Progress Report 2008

The 2008 Progress Report considered all new monitoring data since the last Progress Report and assessed the data against the air quality objectives. We also considered any developments that may have an impact on air quality as well as providing an update on any relevant strategy and policy changes.

To download the PROGRESS REPORT 2008      PDF file click here (1035KB - 22 August 2011 - PDF Help)

Page last updated on 18 May 2012