Pollution affects everyone
Traffic congestion has an impact not only on our daily lives, but also on the quality of the air we breathe. Air quality in Bath and North East Somerset is an important issue because it affects everyone who lives, works and visits here.
How we monitor air quality
London Road in Bath is one of the most heavily congested streets in our area - and also the most polluted. The Council is preparing to install a new air quality monitoring station there, to monitor levels of particulate matter – very fine airborne material emitted primarily from vehicle exhausts.
The monitor will measure the amount of particles which are less than a millionth of a meter in diameter - the size at which the particles can be deposited in people's lungs and cause health problems.
The new monitoring station will add to the network of stations that provide round the clock air pollution monitoring for:
- Nitrogen Oxide
- Carbon Monoxide
- Ozone
- Particulate Matter
Results from the monitoring stations are updated daily and can bee seen on the Council’s website.
Pollution and health
When air pollution levels are particularly high, some people may suffer from eye irritation or coughing. Breathing may become uncomfortable for those with poor respiratory health.
People who suffer from asthma may find that high levels of air pollution causes them to use their inhalers more often - it may even cause an attack. Diseases of the lungs and heart that are attributed to smoking can also be affected by poor air quality. It is well established that people with pre-existing breathing disorders or heart conditions are at most risk from exposure to fine particulate matter emitted by vehicle engines. High levels of this pollutant are believed to make these conditions considerably worse.
To find out more about air pollution and what we are doing to tackle it, visit: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/environmentandplanning/Pollution/airquality
What next?
Bath and North East Somerset Council is undertaking a range of measures to improve air quality through tackling traffic congestion. These include:
- More Park and Ride spaces;
- Bus Rapid Transit;
- Promoting cycling;
- Faster bus routes;
- Fewer HGVs.
