Air quality

Air quality monitoring and management

We have a responsibility to review and assess the current and likely future air quality within our borough from time to time. Air quality is assessed against objectives for various pollutants which are set out in the National Air Quality Strategy. These objectives are based on scientific and medical evidence on the effects of each pollutant on human health.

Where a local authority identifies that an air quality objective for a particular pollutant is being, or may be, exceeded in a particular area where there is relevant public exposure, they must declare an air quality management area.

Ewell High Street Action Plan

As a result of the detailed assessment of air quality on Ewell High Street in 2007, we declared Ewell High Street an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). This was because this report identified that there was a risk of the annual nitrogen dioxide objective being exceeded in this area in the future.

Our Social Committee approved the Action Plan for Air Quality in Ewell High Street in November 2010 and it now forms the basis of air quality improvement work in Ewell Village.

Ewell High Street air quality action plan and further assessment of air quality

Further assessment of Nitrogen Dioxide in Ewell High Street

Which pollutants do we monitor?

In Epsom and Ewell we monitor nitrogen dioxide concentrations. Nitrogen dioxide is monitored at 28 sites throughout the borough using diffusion tubes. In 2008 we acquired a continuous analyser and installed it in Ewell High Street. This allows us to monitor nitrogen dioxide more accurately than diffusion tubes and allows us to access real time data.

The Health & Environment Alliance (HEAL) with the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients Associations (EFA) provides information on air quality, of particular interest to those who are susceptible to the effects of air pollution.

Air Quality freephone Helpline (0800 556677) for information on current and forecast local air quality.