Doncaster Council

Air Pollution in Doncaster

The quality of the air we breathe is affected by many factors. These include emissions from local industry, domestic sources and exhaust gases from the traffic travelling around the Borough.   

Local Industry
The emissions from local industry have been greatly reduced since the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (now replaced by the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999) came into force, and are controlled jointly by Doncaster Council and the Environment Agency.   

Domestic Sources
The emissions from domestic heating are primarily controlled by the Clean Air Act 1993 (see legislation), the entire borough is smoke controlled. Other domestic sources are controlled by use of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.   

Traffic Sources
Traffic sources are the major reason for episodes of raised pollution levels in the town centre.   

Equipment used for Monitoring

All the monitoring stations contain air analysers that provide real time data. This data is transmitted to a central computer located within the Council House.

• The Town centre air is monitored by a station located adjacent to the Market Place, within Air Quality Management Area No.1(AQMA1).   
• Monitoring stations are also located at: the A630/A1(M) interchange (AQMA 2), Carr House Road (AQMA 3), Bawtry Road (AQMA 4), outside the Balby library (AQMA 4) and at Hunt Lane (just north of AQMA1). 
• A mobile station ("Groundhog") is used at various locations throughout the Borough. This is currently located in the area of the roundabout at the junction of Wheatley Hall Road and Thorne Road.  
• The Pollution section also has access to the data collected by the nitrogen dioxide analyser located at the Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield airport.   
• Non real time nitrogen dioxide data is collected across the borough from a network of diffusion tubes. This coarser data is used to determine whether a particular area may require further investigation.                

Using sophisticated air pollution dispersion modelling the Pollution Control section is also able to plot and predict likely future pollution concentrations. 

Frequency of Monitoring
Monitoring occurs in "real time", 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Diffusion tubes give a monthly average. 

Pollutants Monitored
The pollutants monitored and reported are sulphur dioxide(SO2), nitrogen dioxide(NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter(PM10).  

Effects on Health
Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter can affect people with breathing difficulties. This is because high levels of these pollutants can cause the tubes in the lungs to become irritated and narrowed.   

Legislation
There are a number of pieces of legislation which are used by Doncaster Council to control air pollution.   

Clean Air Act 1993
The whole of Doncaster Borough is smoke controlled which means:

1. It is an offence to burn coal in a smoke control area except on certain approved appliances designed to burn certain grades of coal smokelessly.
2. It is an offence to deliver coal to a domestic property in a smoke control area (except for an appliance as described above).
3. It is an offence to emit dark smoke from a commercial premises.                    

The maximum fine for 1 and 2 is £1000 and the maximum fine for 3 is £20,000.   

Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations 2000
These regulations give local authorities proactive powers to control emissions to the environment from a range of industrial activities.   

Environment Act 1995 & The National Air Quality Strategy
Under part IV of this Act the local authority must periodically review the air quality within its area.   

The act enabled the production of the National Air Quality Strategy (NAQS). The NAQS has been operational since the 1^st. April 1997 and was revised in January 2000 and 2007, giving rise to more stringent air quality objectives.   

The strategy identifies pollutants including sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and particulate matter (PM10) which have to meet certain specific objectives by the years 2003 - 2010. These objectives are based upon pollutant concentrations, relating to their health effects.   

Local Authorities must undertake a review and assessment of the air quality in their district in order to identify those areas at the local level where the national policies and instruments appear unlikely, of themselves, to deliver the national air quality standards by the relevant year.   

Doncaster Council is committed to monitoring the air pollution of the Borough and informing the public of the results of the condition of the air we breathe.   

Air Pollution Bandings

Health matters

Effects of Raised Levels on Health

What should you do when Air Pollution is High

If you could be affected by air pollution then take the following sensible precautions:

• Take medicines, tablets, inhalers etc with you when leaving the house so that you can take them as prescribed.
• Take your time and do not rush anywhere - walk at a steady pace.                     

Avoid areas of high traffic density where pollution levels are likely to be highest. 

If you do not suffer from respiratory problems consider leaving your car at home to help reduce pollution levels. 

How to Help Reduce Air Pollution

• If you need to visit the town centre use public transport in preference to your car.
• If you have to drive into town, ensure your car is running efficiently. Regular servicing of your vehicle will reduce harmful exhaust emissions and reduce running costs.
• Whenever you drive ensure that you Eco drive. Drive smoothly, use the highest gear possible, do not over rev, decelerate smoothly by taking the foot of the accelerator (i.e. don't just use the brakes). Eco driving can save fuel too!  
• If you have a solid fuel fire only burn approved smokeless fuels.                     

Where to Obtain Information about Air Pollution in Doncaster

The level of pollution is updated three times per day, Monday to Friday at 0900, 1200 and 1500 hours. This information is made available to the public by the following methods. 

1. Phone Line

There is a 24 hour phone line. The telephone number for this service is (01302) 737536. 

2. Trax FM

The pollution levels in the town centre are notified to TRAX FM 3 times daily. Trax FM can be found on 107.1 KHz. 

3. Electronic Public Display Screens 

This service is available in the reception of the Mansion House,The Council House and Colonnades. These are updated with information from the monitoring stations located in the Borough.  

4. Yorkshire Post  

The average levels of pollution recorded over the previous 24 hours are given daily in the Yorkshire Post weather column. 

5. Doncaster Council home page   

Information can be accessed via the icon located towards the bottom right of the screen       

 Further Information

If you are worried about air pollution affecting your personal health please consult your G.P. Information about the monitoring systems used in Doncaster and the level of the pollutants monitored can be obtained from Pollution Control, P.O. Box 257, The Council House, College Road, Doncaster, DN1 1RN, Telephone number (01302) 737564, 737580 or 737581.