Background Mapping data for local authorities
Background Maps
These concentrations maps are provided to assist local authorities in support of Review and Assessment of local air quality.
To assist local authorities undertaking their air quality Review and Assessments, 2021-based background maps for years 2021 to 2040 for NOx, NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 are available below.
Users should note that 2021-based maps now replace the 2018-based maps. The 2021 reference year background maps are based on monitoring and meteorological data for 2021.
For more information on the different versions of the background maps available, please refer to the Background Maps User Guide. This also provides guidance on how to use the background maps and the associated tools. The tools that accompany the background maps can be found on the LAQM website.
NOx, NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 Background Maps
2021-based background maps for years 2021 to 2040 are available for NOx, NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 using the link below. This provides information about the maps, and will allow you to download a separate 1x1km grid file of concentrations for each local authority (per pollutant). These maps should be used for all new air quality assessments.
2018-based background maps for years 2018 to 2030 are available for NOx, NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 using the link below. This provides information about the maps, and will allow you to download a separate 1x1km grid file of concentrations for each local authority (per pollutant). These maps should not be used for all new air quality assessments, but can continue to be used for on-going assessments.
2017-based background maps for years 2017 to 2030 are available for NOx, NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 using the link below. This provides information about the maps, and will allow you to download a separate 1x1km grid file of concentrations for each local authority (per pollutant). These maps should not be used for new air quality assessments.
2015-based background maps for years 2015 to 2030 are available for NOx, NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 using the link below. This provides information about the maps, and will allow you to download a separate 1x1km grid file of concentrations for each local authority (per pollutant). These maps should not be used for new air quality assessments.
2013-based background maps for years 2013 to 2030 are available for NOx, NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 using the link below. This provides information about the maps, and will allow you to download a separate 1x1km grid file of concentrations for each local authority (per pollutant). These maps should not be used for new air quality assessments.
2011-based background maps for years 2011 to 2030 are available for NOx, NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 using the link below. This provides information about the maps, and will allow you to download a separate 1x1km grid file of concentrations for each local authority (per pollutant). These maps should not be used for new air quality assessments.
2010-based background maps for years 2010 to 2030 are available for NOx, NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 using the link below. This provides information about the maps, and will allow you to download a separate 1x1km grid file of concentrations for each local authority (per pollutant). These maps should not be used for new air quality assessments.
The 2008-based background maps for NOx, NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 are available using the link below, as these may be useful in some circumstances. These maps should not be used for new air quality assessments.
The 2006-based background maps for NOx, NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 are available using the link below as these may be useful in some circumstances. These maps should not be used for new air quality assessments.
The 2004-based background maps for NOx, NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 are available using the link below as these may be useful in some circumstances. These maps should not be used for new air quality assessments.
SO2, CO, benzene and 1,3-butadiene Background Maps
Background maps for SO2, CO, benzene and 1,3-butadiene are based on 2001 base year. These are available (together with NOx, NO2 & PM10) using the link below as these may be useful in some circumstances. These maps should not be used for new air quality assessments. For advice on new assessments for SO2, CO, benzene and 1,3-butadiene, please refer to the Background Maps User Guide.