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 vulnerable in society; children and older people, and those with heart and lung conditions.
We have been monitoring air quality in our Borough since 2000, targeting areas with significant road traffic congestion near to housing and schools. We currently measure air quality at 47 sites across our Borough. This monitoring has resulted in the declaration of Air Quality Management Areas where air quality exceeds health based standards, referred to as objectives. These AQMAs are at busy urban road junctions where exhaust fumes from slow moving road vehicles aren’t readily dispersed because of nearby buildings.
There are national health based targets for seven key airborne pollutants. The levels of these pollutants in our Borough have been monitored or modelled and the outcome is summarised below.
| Pollutant |
Measured Parameter |
Objective |
|---|
| Benzene |
Running annual mean |
Yes |
| Annual average |
Yes |
| 1,3-butadiene |
Running annual mean |
Yes |
| Carbon monoxide |
Max daily running 8hr mean |
Yes |
| Lead |
Annual mean |
Yes |
| Annual mean |
Yes |
| Nitrogen dioxide |
1-hour mean |
Yes |
| Annual mean |
No- Not at 7 Air Quality Management Areas and 1 additional hotspot |
| Sulphur dioxide |
1-hour mean |
Yes |
| 24-hour mean |
Yes |
| 15-minute mean |
Yes |
| Particulates (PM10) |
24-hour mean |
Yes |
| Annual mean |
Yes |
Annual status report
Air quality in Blackburn with Darwen is reviewed annually and an air quality status report is submitted to Defra.
Air quality management areas
These areas failed to meet the national health based annual target for nitrogen dioxide, mainly because of road vehicle exhaust emissions. Nitrogen dioxide causes irritation and inflammation of the lungs.
Action is being taken to improve air quality in these areas. Details can be found in the latest annual status report.
An Air quality management area had been declared in 2012 at the junction on Accrington Road, Blackburn, but air quality has since improved and the order has been revoked.
Orders relating to the Accrington Road / Burnley Road junction:
Additional hotspot - At the junction of Livesey Branch Road / Moorgate Street
Further monitoring is being undertaken to determine whether the junction should be declared as an AQMA. Details can be found in Section 2 of the latest annual air quality status report 2017.
Air quality in Blackburn with Darwen now: results from our automatic monitor
We have an automatic monitor at Accrington Road Community Station in Blackburn. You can get the automatic monitoring results online.