Emissions in the UK
According to the DEFRA (UK Air quality) in the UK is generally good. Air pollution has declined significantly in recent years. However for some key pollutants the rate of reduction is levelling off.
DEFRA have identified the main pollutants that are of concern. These are particulate matter (PM), oxides of nitrogen, ground level ozone and ammonia.
The DEFRA website identifies the economic costs resulting from air pollution in the UK are estimated to be between £9 and £19 billion every year. This is comparable to the economic cost of obesity (over £10 billion).
DEFRA also states that poor air quality is generally associated with poorer areas in England, which are often urban areas close to busy roads.
The following link is to the UK Government Air Quality Strategy for the UK, issued in 2007.
UK Air Quality Strategy
The Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) produced a report in 2009 entitled "The Mortality Effects of Long-Term Exposure to Particulate Air Pollution in the United Kingdom"
UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory National System
The UK Government has established the Greenhouse Gas Inventory to evaluate the progress of the UK towards achieving the European and International targets for reducing emissions and reducing particulate levels in the air that we breathe.
UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory National System Web Site - http://ghgi.decc.gov.uk/index.html
10th March 2011 - A report from DEFRA 'UK emissions of air pollutants - 2009 additional results' gives the following summary:
- There has been a continuation of the long-term trend of reducing the emissions levels in the majority of pollutants.
- The pollutant levels covered in the UK Air Quality Strategy have fallen between 2008 and 2009, with the exception of the ammonia levels.
- Emission levels of metals have seen an overall reduction in the last 12 months, but with the exception of mercury which has increased.
- Emissions of persistent organic pollutants has declined since 2008.
3rd March 2010 - DEFRA 'UK emissions of air pollutants - 2009 additional results' gives the following summary:
- There has been a continuation of the long-term trend of reducing the emissions levels in the majority of pollutants.
- The pollutant levels covered in the UK Air Quality Strategy have fallen between 2008 and 2009, with the exception of the ammonia levels.
- Emission levels of metals have seen an overall reduction in the last 12 months, but with the exception of mercury which has increased.
- Emissions of persistent organic pollutants has declined since 2008.
References
www.defra.gov.uk
www.defra.gov.uk - Air quality strategy
www.defra.gov.uk - download PDF
Air pollution: Action in a Changing Climate
(COMEAP) - The Mortality Effects of Long-Term Exposure to Particulate Air Pollution in the United Kingdom