Air quality

On this page you will find information on local air quality management, control of industrial emissions and radon.

Local air quality management

The UK government has produced The United Kingdom Air Quality Strategy 2007 as a requirement to improve areas of poor air quality, reduce any remaining significant risks to health and to achieve the wider objectives of sustainable development regarding air quality in the UK.

The pollutants of concern for local air quality management are:

Nitrogen dioxide
Fine particles
Carbon monoxide
Sulphur dioxide
Benzene
1,3 Butadiene
Lead
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons
Ozone

Areas in the district not meeting the objectives:

Bridge Street, Witney and Horsefair
High Street Chipping Norton.

Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) have been declared and action plans to meet the objectives are being developed. You can view and print off the AQMA location plans and full reports from the right-hand downloads section of this page.

Pollutant information

Information about the chemistry and effects of the air pollutants can also be found under the Downloads section.

Control of industrial emissions

The Council is responsible for permitting certain smaller industrial processes (Part B processes) and conditions are applied to control air pollution. The Environment Agency is responsible for larger industrial process and conditions apply to control air, land and water pollution for these installations.

Part B Process details within West Oxfordshire are provided.

Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring gas. It has no taste, smell or colour; in fact, special devices are needed to detect it. Radon is everywhere, usually at low levels that pose negligible risk. We hold information about the risk of Radon in the district. You may wish to visit the Health Protection Agency website where you can learn more about Radon and order a Radon test kit.