Listen to siteThe quality of air is an important issue that affects human health and the environment in which we live. Air pollution results directly from man's activities along with a result of secondary processes in the atmosphere.
Air quality in Lincolnshire is relatively good, although road traffic can produce elevated levels in built-up areas (notably Lincoln), and elevated levels of low level ozone can occur across the County.
Acid Rain
Acid rain and the effect that acid deposition has on rivers, lakes, soils, forests and buildings is recognised as being a key environmental issue. In Lincolnshire it is the built rather than the natural environment that has proved most susceptible, a good example being the erosion of the Cathedral. Acid rain results from the solution of SO2 and NO2 emissions in the atmosphere to form acids within rain clouds, which can travel between countries causing problems away from the pollutant's source. As a result of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and EC Directive 88/609/EEC, the levels of SO2 and NO2 emissions from large combustion plant are required to be reduced by 40% and 30% respectively. The key sources of these pollutants are motor traffic, industry and power generation, and Lincolnshire is subject to elevated levels of these pollutants from power stations in the Trent Valley and emissions from the industrial Midlands. The implementation of the new legislation should reduce these pollutants in the County and help to alleviate the problems caused by acid rain in other European countries.
Low Level Ozone
Low level ozone is a problem from time to time in a number of UK locations. It is a product of photochemical processes involving other pollutants and can cause breathing difficulties and damage vegetation. Statistically significant long term trends for ground level ozone measurements have been identified at five of the national network of monitoring sites. In general, ground level ozone concentrations are apparently declining in the south and south-east of the country but increasing (consistent with global trends) elsewhere. Low level ozone is inadequately monitored at present in Lincolnshire and there is very little data on which to base conclusions. The State of the Environment Report recommends that ozone monitoring be undertaken in order to assess the significance of this issue in Lincolnshire.
Global Warming
Global warming (or more accurately, climate change) results from carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and
other "greenhouse" gases which operate to capture in the atmosphere a proportion of the earth's received
solar energy (which would otherwise radiate to space) leading to a gradual increase in global temperatures.
Global temperature rises this century, along with the unpredictable and more pronounced variations in weather which seem to be occurring worldwide, follow the model predicted for the phenomenon.
One school of thought does point out that the trend in climate we appear to be experiencing is within the range of periodic fluctuation seen in the geologic timescale. The majority of expert opinion now, however, is to acknowledge 'global warming' and this consensus has now produced a change of policy, both by U.K. Government and through international conventions.
Global warming is predicted to result in sea level rises as parts of the polar ice masses melt, and this already affects Lincolnshire through the flood defence standards on the coast which have a margin for sea level rise built in to them. Also, Lincolnshire is in one of the drier parts of the country in terms of rainfall, and if rainfall were to be reduced because of regional climate changes associated with global warming, the impact on water resources would be serious and the character of the County could be significantly changed. Less rainfall is not necessarily a consequence of global warming but is one of several possible climatic changes which cannot be accurately predicted.
Environment Friendly Fuels
There are opportunities to reduce the amounts of some pollutants through the use of so-called green fuels.
The County Council has promoted strongly the use of low sulphur diesel and bio-diesel (from oil seed rape) through the Green Bus initiative. This has demonstrated that low emission and renewable fuels can be viable, well in advance of any forthcoming EU legislation or financial incentives.
Particulates
Particulates are generated by the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal and heavy fuel/diesel oils.
Other processes, such as cement manufacture, lime kilns, coke and solid fuel manufacture, are also responsible for significant levels of particulate discharges into the atmosphere. In rural regions of the country, including Lincolnshire, airborne particulate matter can from time to time, depending on climatic conditions, include significant levels of soil generated dust during dry, windy periods. Nationally particulate emissions from all industrial sources have declined since 1980. The contribution from road transport has increased by over 75% in the period from 1982 to 1992 due to the growth in road traffic, and has cancelled out the gradual improvement in engine performance over that period. In addition, the number of diesel cars on the road has increased at a greater rate than the overall traffic increase.
The results of particulate monitoring in the City of Lincoln and the district of East Lindsey are presented below. A newly announced standard from the Expert Panel on Air Quality Study is 50 micrograms per m³ of PM10. Advice from the Committee on Medical Effects of Air Pollution has led to the view that a precautionary approach would be appropriate and that reductions in particulate emissions should be welcomed.
Benzene
Although lead-free petrol has been of major benefit in reducing lead levels, premium grade unleaded petrol uses benzene as an additive to maintain performance. Benzene has been shown to be a carcinogen, and in the United States there has been some correlation between benzene contamination at a petrol station and child cancers at an adjoining school. There is increasing concern at benzene pollution in the UK which has increased with the use of premium grade unleaded petrol, and monitoring for benzene is needed to quantify the extent of emissions. Lincolnshire will not be affected by this issue to the extent that the more urbanised counties may be. There may, however, be localised concerns, and research and action is required at the national level.
Radiation Levels
The levels of radiation from both artificial and natural sources are key environmental issues. Radon is the dominant source of human exposure to radiation, arising naturally from rock. There are also artificial radio nuclides present in the atmosphere arising from atomic weapons testing and the Chernobyl accident. Artificial sources are not considered to be a significant issue in Lincolnshire but there are raised levels of naturally produced radon in some parts of the County, which have now received attention by both NRPB and local Environmental Health Departments.
Noise Nuisance
There is an increasing public awareness of noise, not only as an occupational health hazard but as an environmental pollutant. Noise can damage hearing, cause physiological problems, including increased heart rate and high blood pressure, in addition to the general issue of nuisance which is a major cause of residential conflict.
Noise comes from a variety of sources, notably road traffic, aircraft and commercial operations. Neighbourhood noise created by residents and visitors to localities has overtaken traffic and commercial noise in recent years as the main source for complaint to Environmental Health Officers. In Lincolnshire there is a higher than average amount of noise originating from military aircraft.
Atmospheric Ozone Depletion
The depletion of atmospheric ozone is a major global concern. Atmospheric ozone is important for absorbing ultra-violet radiation from the sun which, otherwise, can have effects on human health and vegetation. Depletion results from the effect of some man-made chemicals, notably chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which were used for aerosol propellants and refrigerants, and Halon gas which is also used as a refrigerant and as a fire-fighting gas for specific circumstances.
The Montreal Protocol in 1987 agreed the phasing out of these substances, but the ozone layer has been damaged already and the effects of historic releases of pollutants will have an effect for some years. A thinning of the ozone layer has been observed over the Arctic and this extends as far south as the UK at times. Lincolnshire, along with the rest of the country, may be affected by this, with the possibilities of increased occurrence of skin cancer from sunburn, cataracts and other health problems associated with excess ultra-violet exposure. Organisations in Lincolnshire can help by reviewing their own operations and purchasing practices ahead of the agreed phase-out date.
Key Issues - AIR Proposed Indicators
31 - Air Pollution Reduction
Number of instances that the levels of nine individual pollutants (as defined by the DoE in the document 'Air Quality: Meeting the Challenge') are exceeded.
Number of prosecutions and enforcement notices for breaches of pollution regulations.
32 - Radiation Levels
Percentage of results counted that fall above the Government's action level of 200 Bq m3.
33 - Acid Rain
34 - Noise Pollution
Number of noise abatement notices issued by the Environmental Health Department.
Number of noise complaints relative to population density of each district.
35 - Odour Complaints
Number of odour complaints received by the Environmental Health Department relative to the population density of each district.
36 - Low Level Ozone
Number of occasions when standards for low level ozone are exceeded.
37 - Global Warming
38 - Promoting Environment Friendly Fuels
39 - Benzene
40 - Atmospheric Ozone Depletion
Last Updated: 13 March 2009
Also in: Environmental Report
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