Air quality reports

Traffic We have produced several reports about air quality in Belfast and the impact it has on public health.

They include:

Air Quality Action Plan

Publication date: May 2006

The Air Quality Action Plan shows the steps we are taking to reduce air pollution in Belfast to more acceptable levels.

The report relates to the four Air Quality Management Areas in Belfast.

Health Impact Assessment (for draft Air Quality Action Plan)

Publication date: May 2006

The Health Impact Assessment shows which measures, outlined in the Air Quality Action Plan, could be improved to boost public health.

It also examines whether any measures need to be altered to minimise negative impacts on health.

Updating and Screening Assessment (USA)

Publication date: April 2006

We carried out a Review and Assessment process in April 2004. Under the Environment Order (Northern Ireland) 2002, we were required to produce an Updating and Screening Assessment (USA) of these findings.

The USA shows whether targets to reduce the number of key pollutants in the air are being met.

Progress report

Publication date: September 2005

This report was prepared for the Environment and Heritage Service and outlines our work to improve air quality in Belfast .

Second and third stages of the National Air Quality Strategy Review and Assessment Process

Publication date: April 2004

The review and assessment of the National Air Quality Strategy was completed in three stages:

Stage one
This involved identifying major pollution sources which can have an impact within a council area.

Stage two
This assessed the sources outlined in stage one and used a range of screening tools, including nomograms and rudimentary dispersion models. Ambient monitoring data was also reviewed, with regard to the relevant objectives from the strategy.

Stage three
This included a detailed assessment of the pollutants highlighted in stage two, using atmospheric dispersion modelling software. This allowed the chances of exceeding an air quality objective to be predicted for current and future years. It also outlined the location and spatial extent of the exceedance.