Air Quality Acts and Regulations

The Environment Act 1995 Part V

This act introduced a new legislative framework for local air quality management in adopting objectives to be achieved by the year 2005 as set out in the National Air Quality Strategy. These objectives are detailed below.

Interpretation
For the purposes of this schedule:
1. 'ppb' means parts per 1000 million by volume
2. 'ppm' means parts per million by volume
3. 'PM10' means the mass fraction of particle which if inhaled would penetrate beyond the larynx.

The Air Quality Regulations 1997

These regulations placed a duty on local authorities to review and assess air quality by:

• Having regard to levels now and in the future.
• Make an assessment of whether those levels estimated for 2005 will exceed the objectives as outlined above.
• In doing so, have regard to all locations where individuals are likely to be exposed over the averaging time of the objective.
• Identify areas where the objectives will not be met by national measures alone.
• Develop air quality management plans for those areas where the objectives will not be met.
• Liaise with public and private bodies in drawing up those plans.
• Consult with the local community and all other interested parties.
• Allow access to information.
• Develop a strategy for managing local air quality ensuring that air quality considerations become an integral part of the Local Authority decision-making process.

For further information please contact the Environmental Protection team on 01789 260817, or by emailing envhealth@stratford-dc.gov.uk, or by fax on 01789 260860.