Common Causes of Air Pollution and How to Eliminate Them | Legal Requirements

According to Public Health England, what is the highest environmental risk to public health in the UK? The answer: air pollution. Human-made air pollution can contribute to a range of health issues and a staggering 28,000 – 36,000 UK deaths every year. 

Clean Air Day falls on June 19^th this year and was introduced by Global Action Plan to raise awareness and campaign for change. In this article we will explore the causes of air pollution, those most affected, the UK legislative requirements and then fundamentally, what we can all do to eliminate this harm. Along the way, we will also outline the connection between local air pollution and climate change.

Common Causes of Air Pollution Caused by Humans

Local air pollution is often worse in cities and Global Action Plan is calling for:

“The elimination of the use of fossil fuels (and wood) in transport and home heating in urban areas.”

Air quality can be compromised by black carbon which is the soot created from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass. Sources include diesel car exhausts, coal fired power plants, wood burning stoves and cooking.

In addition, manufacturing, industry, construction and agriculture can also produce chemicals such as Ammonia (NH3), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Sulphur dioxide (SO2) and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs).  The concentration of these pollutants is typically stronger closer to the source.

Who Is Affected by Air Pollution?

Whilst anyone can be affected by local air pollution, research in England has shown that the highest levels of air pollution have been recorded in the most deprived areas and affect those living, studying and working near major roads, industry and high-density housing.

Health problems include increased risk of:

• Asthma, lung disease and heart disease in the elderly.
• Asthma, stroke and diabetes in adults.
• Asthma, wheezing and coughs in children.
• Lower birth weights in new-borns.

UK Legislative Requirements for Air Pollution

The link between human-produced air pollution and health is not a recent discovery. According to BBC Bitesize, it is estimated that the “Great smog of London,” which lasted a week in 1952 and was caused by burning coal and industrial processes, resulted in 12,000 deaths from heart and lung conditions. This tragedy led to the introduction of the Clean Air Act in 1956 which made “provision for abating the pollution of the air”.

This Act was subsequently repealed.  Current legislation has been consolidated in the Clean Air Act 1993 giving local authorities the power to declare smoke control districts and issue “smoke control orders”. In addition, the Act controls the height of chimneys and composition of motor fuels.

Internationally, the UK is required to comply with standards and objectives contained in the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010 which implement the EU Air Quality Limit Value. The Regulations provide ‘limit values’, ‘target values’ and ‘long-term objectives’ for the concentration of listed air pollutants that affect public health which include nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide.

In 2008 the UK introduced the groundbreaking Climate Change Act which aimed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80% by 2050. The Act sought to implement the terms of the internationally agreed and legally binding Paris Agreement 2015 “to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels”. The Act was subsequently amended to reduce GHG emissions and reach net zero by 2050, using 1990 as a baseline.

Links to Climate Change

Black carbon also contributes to climate change in two fundamental ways:

• It absorbs solar radiation and then releases it as heat.
• By darkening snow and ice, it reduces their ability to reflect the sun’s rays, thereby lessening the albedo effect.

Nitrogen dioxide, Sulphur dioxide and non-methane volatile organic compounds are all indirect GHGs and traditionally GHGs are emitted in the production of Ammonia. 

So, if we can reduce these emissions, not only would we be able to breathe more easily, but it could also assist us on our journey to net zero.

What Can We Do to Remove the Harm?

Historically, the importance of coal to the UK and the first industrial revolution cannot be underestimated.  At the beginning of the 20^th century the UK was still powered almost exclusively by coal.  However, last year, in line with Paris commitments and a move to more renewable energy, the last remaining coal fired power station was closed. Not only should this reduce GHG emissions, but it should also improve the quality of local air.

What More Can We Do as Industry Leaders and as Individuals?

Global Action Plan is collaborating with education providers, health authorities, industry, local groups and councils to:

• Reduce their own air pollution.
• Influence stakeholders.
• Drive changes in legislation and policy.

If we are not already doing so, we could:

• Assess our black carbon and indirect GHG emissions and consider how they can be reduced.
• Raise awareness when liaising with our value chain when quantifying scope 3 emissions.
• Raise awareness in-house and promote active travel, the use of electric vehicles and outline the detrimental effects of wood burners.
• Mark Clean Air Day UK on the third Thursday of June each year.

Interested in Finding Out More?

The government have a tool to find out the quality of the air where you live, helping you to understand the impact that pollution has on your area.

To take part in Clean Air Day this year on 19^th June, why not promote active travel and raise awareness of the objectives and reasons behind the Global Action Plan?

If you interested in how, you might be able to reduce your carbon emissions and air pollution in the workplace, the IEMA Pathways to Net Zero course is utilised by businesses all around the world to teach employees to quantify and reduce carbon emissions.

Alternatively, you can stay up to date with our most recent environmental content below for expert insights and the latest industry discussions.