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Sources of Air Pollution
Air Quality in the UK is currently monitored by the
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
(DEFRA) through an automatic network
of monitoring sites run by Casella
Stanger on behalf of DEFRA. Casella Stanger also
maintains the database of air quality measurements,
carries out statistical analyses, and makes air quality
information publicly available. For the purpose of monitoring
and reporting air pollution, the UK has been divided
into regions (or zones) and urban areas (or agglomerations),
with standards for air quality and emissions set in
accordance with
EC Directive 96/62/EC, the EC Framework Directive
on Ambient Air Quality.
Transport Emissions
Vehicle emissions are the major source of air pollution
in urban areas. Levels of air pollution vary dependant
on traffic volume, proximity to other pollutant sources,
and weather conditions. Exhaust emissions account for
the majority of transport emissions although tyre and
brake wear is responsible for 10% of all PM10
emissions from vehicles.
Diesel cars produce more PM10
and NOx emissions than similar
sized petrol cars with a catalytic converter, but diesel
vehicles produce less carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons,
which are generally regarded as the most significant
atmospheric pollutants.
Industrial emissions
Power stations and other industries account for 90%
of sulphur dioxide and approximately
50% of PM10 and VOCs
emissions produced in the UK. Dependant on the installation
industry may also be an important source of benzene,
1,3-butadiene, lead
and nitrogen dioxide.
Air emissions from industry are controlled by the system
of integrated permitting under The
Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Act (IPPC)
1999. The Environment Agency has developed a Pollution
Inventory that provides details on the amount and
nature of releases of specified substances to air, water
and land from industrial sites regulated by the Environment
Agency under IPPC/IPC
regulations.
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