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The Environment Act (1995) required the development
of a National Air Quality Strategy to establish a framework
for air quality control in the UK. The strategy set
standards to reduce levels of what are considered to
be the 8 main UK air pollutants.
Please use the drop down menu below to view more information
on the 8 main UK air pollutants:
In addition to the above pollutants, the government
also identifies a number of other substances released
into the atmosphere, and generally regarded as harmful
to humans and the environment:
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Dioxins
and FuransDioxins
(polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins
(PCDD)) and furans (polychlorinated dibenzofurans
(PCDF)) are produced from any thermal process
where chlorine in any form is present. In addition
PCDD/Fs may also be present in the feedstock of
some thermal processes
Main Sources
In 1993 waste incineration accounted for 60% of
PCDD/F emissions however, the introduction of
emission control measures significantly reduced
emission levels to only 4% in 1998. Clinical waste
incineration remains a significant source of PCDD/F
emissions alongside accidental fires and open
agricultural burning and emissions form sinter
plants.
Health Risks
PCDD and PCDF emissions have toxicological properties
and are thought to be responsible for the formation
of cancers and birth defects.
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Volatile
Organic Compounds
(VOCs)The term VOCs covers
a wide range of volatile organic compounds including
hydrocarbons, halocarbons and oxygenates all of
which exist as a vapour in the atmosphere (e.g.
Methane)
Main Sources
VOCs are produced mainly from the use of products
containing organic solvents and from vehicle exhaust
emissions
Health Risks
VOCs react in the atmosphere with sunlight to
form low level ozone
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