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Environmental Health - Air Quality


Service Description: The Isle of Wight Council is responsible for measuring the quality of ambient air to ensure that it meets required standards in relation to the concentration of pollutants such as lead, nitrogen dioxide, benzene etc. The council can also provide advice and guidance on all aspects of installation of ventilation and air-conditioning systems; and may require that detailed plans are submitted for inspection prior to installation of new units. This particularly applies to catering establishments. Ventilation and air-conditioning systems which are poorly installed or maintained may be a health risk to the public. The council also controls and determines the heights of chimneys on the Island.

Also known as:- Bonfires, Clean Air Act, Pollution Control - Air

Your FAQ

Question: What are the major pollutants of concern and where do they come form?

Answer: The main air pollutants of concern are:
• nitrogen dioxide - associated with vehicle exhausts, combustion processes and some industrial processes
• sulphur dioxide - mostly from the combustion of oil and solid fuel, but also from diesel vehicles
• carbon monoxide - from vehicle exhausts and poorly operated boiler plant particles
• very fine particles emitted from vehicle exhausts, combustion processes and industrial sources. Usually referred to as 'PM10' - particles less than 10 microns in diameter. A micron is a thousandth of a millimetre.
• Benzene - an organic chemical emitted in exhausts and also during refuelling.
• 1,3 Butadiene - another organic chemical emitted in exhausts and also from some industrial processes
• lead - mostly from leaded petrol
• ozone


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