The Environment and ATC

Air Quality

The quality of the air we breathe affects the very quality of our lives. High levels of air pollution have been linked to increases in respiratory illness and in particular asthma. Other affects of pollution includes acid rain which contains dissolved chemicals that damages wildlife, woodland and buildings.

Air Quality Monitoring

In order to understand the scale of the problem Leicester has a comprehensive series of monitoring stations around the city. The data from the monitoring stations form part of a national network of monitoring stations and are used within the local air quality forecasting models to predict pollution levels over the next few days.

Air Quality Forecasting

Leicester City Council ATC has been involved with a number of European funded projects to advance the use of computer based air quality forecasting model. This model combines information on industrial pollution emissions and combined with real-time traffic data, meteorological data and air quality monitoring data allow predictions of pollution levels across the city to be made. This information is very valuable in providing a better understanding of local pollution problems and the sources of the pollution, allowing a pro-active role in air quality control to be taken by Leicester City Council.

The information provided on these pages has been produced by the air quality forecasting models used by Leicester.

Pollutants measured and the affects of high levels

The following pollutants are measured:

Ozone	High levels in Ozone can cause respiratory problems for asthmatics, the elderly and the very young. Ozone is a bi-product of the activity of the sun on other pollutants.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)	High levels in Carbon Monoxide can cause respiratory problems for asthmatics, the elderly and the very young. Carbon Monoxide is a product of vehicle emissions.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx)	High levels in Nitrogen Oxides can cause respiratory problems for asthmatics, the elderly and the very young. Nitrogen oxides are a product of vehicle emissions.
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)	High levels in Sulphur Dioxide can cause respiratory problems for asthmatics, the elderly and the very young. Sulphur dioxide is a product of vehicle emissions.
Particulates	High levels of particulates can cause respiratory problems for asthmatics, the elderly and the very young. Particulates are a product of vehicle emissions in particular diesel engines.