Introduction

BACKGROUND

This report on air quality monitoring in Northern Ireland has been produced for the Department of the Environment, by netcen (an operating division of AEA Technology Environment). It combines data from large-scale networks such as the Automatic Urban Network and Non-Automatic Networks, with data from the considerable number of other monitoring sites operated by Northern Ireland’s District Councils. The former data are provided by netcen: the latter have been collected and compiled by the Pollution Control Group of the Chief Environmental Health Officers Group (CEHOG) for Northern Ireland. The period covered is calendar years 2000 and 2001. The report follows on from the series of six previous reports produced by CEHOG.

Long term, quality assured monitoring is an important feature of the assessment and control of air pollution. With appropriate analysis and interpretation, air quality monitoring data can be used for:

· Establishing a sound scientific basis for policy development;

· Determining compliance with air quality objectives and guidance;

· Assessing air quality trends;

· Assessing the effectiveness of control policies;

· Research needs;

· Public information; and

· National and local air quality management.

Much of Northern Ireland is rural, and in such areas air quality is usually good. However, urban localities experience generally higher levels of pollution. Historically, there has been limited availability of natural gas in Northern Ireland; as a result, domestic use of coal, solid fuels and oil has remained relatively widespread. Therefore, levels of pollutants associated with domestic solid fuel burning, such as sulphur dioxide (SO₂), and particulate matter (smoke and PM₁₀) can be particularly high in parts of Northern Ireland. Oxides of nitrogen (NO and NO₂) are also pollutants of concern in some urban areas; the dominant source of these pollutants is thought to be motor vehicles. This is an area over which District Councils currently have no regulatory control. The need for greater control over, or restrictions on emissions from vehicles will only become clear once District Councils complete their Review and Assessment of local air pollution.

OBJECTIVES

Air quality monitoring in Northern Ireland is carried out by various District Councils and other bodies. Techniques used range from simple passive samplers to sophisticated continuous analysers. Some monitoring sites are part of larger networks; others are not. This report aims to bring together all air quality monitoring data obtained for Northern Ireland in 2000 and 2001. It is intended to assist District Councils in their ongoing Review and Assessments of local air quality by:

· providing information on the main pollutants of concern,

· setting out details of the air quality monitoring undertaken in 2000 and 2001, and

· presenting a summary of results and trends from monitoring sites.

It is not intended that this report will make specific comment or recommendations on air quality monitoring in Northern Ireland. The need for additional monitoring within individual District Council areas should be identified as part of the ongoing Review and Assessment process (referred to later). This report is intended to be primarily an update on developments in the field of air quality and a summary of air quality data across Northern Ireland for 2000 and 2001.