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Air Pollution in South Holland

Welcome to the South Holland air quality webpages. This section allows you to find out what the latest pollution levels in South Holland area are at the moment. You can also find out more about air pollution, and view data for indivdual automatic monitoring stations around the region.

The interactive map shows the locations of the automatic monitoring stations - click on one of these to view data, graphs and site information.

Latest Data
Graph





Data Files

Listed below are options for downloading monitoring data from South Holland. The downloaded files contain up-to-date automatic monitoring data. There are two formats to the files; a file containing all pollutants measured at a site for each year, or pollutant specific data files.

All dates are provided in GMT and are hour ending.

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In pollutant-specific data files, each row represents a given calendar date and each column a time of day. Provisional data is noted with two hash symbols (##) before the date.

Each measurement is assigned a status code. The definitions are the following:

  • R = Ratified
  • P = Provisional
  • P* = As Supplied
  • S = Suspect
Download Selected Data

Listed below are links to CSV data files for Petts Lane, which closed in 2004. These files contain one year's automatic monitoring data.



Non-automatic Diffusion Tube Data

Listed below are links to the non-automatic diffusion tube data for South Holland. The file format of the file is shown next to the download link.



Air Quality Reports for South Holland

Reports relating to air quality within the South Holland area are listed below.

Provisional Monitoring Site Monthly Summaries

Ratified Monitoring Site Annual Summaries



Health Effects of Air Pollution

How to use the Daily Air Quality Index

  1. Determine whether you (or your children) are likely to be at-risk from air pollution. Information on groups who may be affected is provided on the Additional information on the short-term effects of air pollution page on the Defra UK-AIR website. Your doctor may also be able to give you advice.
  2. If you may be at-risk, and are planning strenuous activity outdoors, check the air pollution forecast .
  3. Use the health messages corresponding to the highest forecast level of pollution as a guide.
Adults and children with heart or lung problems are at greater risk of symptoms. Follow your doctor's usual advice about exercising and managing your condition. It is possible that very sensitive individuals may experience health effects even on Low air pollution days. Anyone experiencing symptoms should follow the guidance Additional information on the short-term effects of air pollution provided on the Defra UK-AIR website.

Boundaries Between Index Points for Each Pollutant

The table below shows the boundaries between each index points for common pollutants measured. For more further details about this information, please visit the standards information on the on the Defra UK-AIR website

Monitoring Site Environments

The table below shows the typical types of environmental that air pollution monitoring stations are located. A brief description for each one is provided.




Frequently Asked Questions

Some useful FAQs are listed below.

What leads to poor air quality?

In both developed and rapidly industrialising countries, the major historic air pollution problem has typically been high levels of smoke and sulphur dioxide arising from the combustion of sulphur-containing fossil fuels such as coal for domestic and industrial purpose. The major threat to clean air is now posed by traffic emissions.

Petrol and diesel-engined motor vehicles emit a wide variety of pollutants, principally carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulates (PM10), which have an increasing impact on urban air quality. In addition, photochemical reactions resulting from the action of sunlight on nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and VOCs from vehicles leads to the formation of ozone, a secondary long-range pollutant, which impacts in rural areas often far from the original emission site. Acid rain is another long-range pollutant influenced by vehicle NOx emissions.

What are the effects of poor air quality?

Air pollution can damage trees and plants, buildings, and contribute to global warming. For humans, there is evidence that high levels of pollution can cause damage to the body, specially the lungs, cause heart attacks, and could lead to a premature death if already ill.

Government research shows that every year between 14,000 and 24,000 people may be admitted to hospital as a result of air pollution.

Is poor air quality harmful to health?

Many air pollutants have known or suspected harmful effects on human health and the environment. Combustion, motor vehicle traffic, space heating, and power generation primarily generate these pollutants in Europe. These pollutants can travel long distances, so not only affect the environment at their source, but also react to other chemicals in the atmosphere to produce secondary pollutants such as acid rain or ozone.

See About Air Pollution on UK-AIR for more information.

Can I do anything?

A variety of things can be done by everyone to help keep air pollution low, and protect their health when levels rise:

  • Don't light a bonfire when pollution levels are high.
  • Try to use your car less often - walk, cycle or use public transport.
  • Cycling or walking is healthier for both the environment, and for you.
  • Ask your employer, school or college about developing a green travel plan.
  • Do not drive your car when there are warnings of high air pollution. You will normally receive pollution warnings on your local regional news and weather forecast.

Is It Harmful to Me?

Air pollution can have harmful effects on the health, in particular to the lungs and airways. There is increasing evidence that poor air quality can also lead to heart attacks and premature death in people who are already ill. Research by the government has shown that between 14,000 and 24,000 people per year may be admitted to hospital due to poor air quality reasons. However poor air quality is not just harmful to humans but also to the environment. Pollutants from Europe can affect the UK by chemically reacting in the atmosphere to produce secondary pollutants such as acid rain or ozone, as well as contributing to global warming. At no time should levels of pollutants within this area cause you ill effects unless you already have existing chronic health problems such as Asthma.

Is there more risk if I have Asthma?

The information on the levels of pollution and the effects on an individual's health is available on the 'About Air Quality' page. Depending on the level of quality there is slightly more risk to asthma sufferers and those sensitive to air pollutants.

I live near a busy road will this affect my health?

Air pollution differs depending on where you are. The countryside will have a lower level of pollution than an inner city, just as living down a dirt track road will have a lower level of pollution than next to a busy road. However depending on the difference in the level of pollution reported on the main site this will not noticeably increase the risk to your health.

What is the current level of air pollution in South Holland and how can I find out more about air quality and pollution levels in the UK?

The current level of air quality for South Holland can be seen on the main air quality page, with information on the differing levels found on the about air quality page.

The UK Air Quality Archive website is a comprehensive source of information and air quality data from across the United Kingdom.

Air pollution data for the various regions of the UK can be obtained by phoning the Air Quality Freephone information line on 0800 55 66 77.



Air Pollution Information

The links on this page will provide more information on air quality, the environment and health.


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