Air Quality Management

In the UK, a National Air Quality Strategy (NAQS) lays out the plans devised by the Government and devolved administrations to protect and improve air quality. The following pollutants are considered in the strategy document:

Further information on the NAQS can be obtained at www.airqualityni.co.uk

The Environment Act 2002 requires each local authority to carry out reviews of air quality within their own areas, whilst at the same time taking into consideration air quality standards in neighbouring authorities.

Magherafelt District Council EH Department in 2001 carried out a Stage 1 review which screened industrial, transport, domestic and other sources of pollution. This review found that levels of NO₂, SO₂ and PM₁₀ were such or were predicted to be of such a level as to merit further scrutiny.

A Stage 2/3 review has been completed in April 2004 which showed that the levels of these three pollutants fall within acceptable limits as laid down in the NAQS.

Further monitoring and sampling will be carried out in future years so that pollution levels can be assessed on an on-going basis and collated into Progress Reports.

Ongoing projects continue to be part financed by the
European Regional Development Fund and managed
through the Department of the Environment