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, 2018-based background maps for years 2018 to 2030 for NO_x, NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 are available below.  

Users should note that 2018-based maps now replace the 2017-based maps.  The 2018 reference year background maps are based on monitoring and meteorological data for 2018. 

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.

NO_x, NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 Background Maps

2018-based background maps for years 2018 to 2030 are available for NO_x, NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 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 NO_x, NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5

2017-based background maps for years 2017 to 2030 are available for NO_x, NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 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.

• 2017-based background maps for NO_x, NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5

2015-based background maps for years 2015 to 2030 are available for NO_x, NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 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

• 2015-based background maps for NO_x, NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5

2013-based background maps for years 2013 to 2030 are available for NO_x, NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 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 NO_x, NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5

2011-based background maps for years 2011 to 2030 are available for NO_x, NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 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 NO_x, NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5

2010-based background maps for years 2010 to 2030 are available for NO_x, NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 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 NO_x, NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5

The 2008-based background maps for NO_x, NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 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.

• 2008-based background maps for NO_x, NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5

The 2006-based background maps for NO_x, NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 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.

• 2006-based background maps for NO_x, NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5

The 2004-based background maps for NO_x, NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 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.

• 2004-based background maps for NO_x, NO₂ and PM₁₀ (not available for PM_2.5)

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 downloadable from the link below: 

• 2001-based background maps for SO₂, CO, benzene and 1,3-butadiene

Please note that only data for SO₂, CO, benzene and 1,3-butadiene should be used from these 2001-based background maps. Background information on NO_x, NO₂, and PM₁₀, contained with these maps should not be used when undertaking air quality assessments.