Local Air Quality Review and Assessment

Under the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 Local Authorities in Northern Ireland are required to carry out a Review and Assessment of their local air quality. The first round process involved a three stage phased approach.

• Stage 1 was an initial screening of industrial, transport and other sources, such as domestic emissions, which have a significant impact within the local authority area and the identification of pollutants of concern locally. Every Authority must carry out Stage 1. If this indicated a possible exceedance of any Air Quality Objective, the Authority should have proceeded to Stage 2.
• Stage 2 was a more detailed screening assessment of all the pollutants identified as significant locally in the first stage; if this indicated that relevant objectives may not be met, it would be necessary to proceed to Stage 3.
• Stage 3 was an accurate detailed review of pollutants, using computer modelling and monitoring techniques to predict the likelihood of exceeding the AQS objectives. An Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) could be declared after this stage if the review establishes that AQS objectives awere likely to be exceeded after the relevant target date. An action plan should then be developed to address the problems.

All of Northern Ireland’s 26 District Councils have completed the first round of review and assessments. 11 have declared Air Quality Management Areas. Of these 11, six have declared AQMAs for PM₁₀ only, two for NO₂ and PM₁₀ together, two for NO₂ only, and one for SO₂.

Four Council’s, Antrim, Ards, Belfast and Strabane have submitted Air Quality Action Plans to the Department. The remaining Council’s are currently preparing Action Plans except for Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey who intend to revoke.

The second round of local air quality management review and assessment has commenced  2006 where Council’s are required to submit Updating and Screening Reports (USA’s). USA’s have been submitted by all Council’s.

View the Review and assessment reports from all District Councils