Burton at top of list for poor air quality in Staffs

NEW ONLINE MAP IS LAUNCHED

A NEW online tool has shone a light on the levels of air pollution in each Staffordshire neighbourhood, and reveals that Burton tops the list for the worst figures for towns in the county.

The interactive map has been created by the Central Office of Public Interest (Copi) and Imperial College London.

It has been described as the most detailed to date of air pollution in the UK. The map tells people about pollution levels where they live when they enter their postcode.

And it shows nearly every home in the UK is subjected to air pollution above World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. The map reveals levels of pollutants PM2.5 and PM10, which are small particles in the air that can cause lung problems - and in the case of PM2.5, cancer - as well as nitrogen ioxide (NO2), which can increase the risk of disease-related deaths.

The WHO sets a guideline limit of 10 ug/m3, the amount of particles by cubic metre of air, for annual levels of PM2.5, which include fine particles of dust, dirt, soot, and smoke, often due to vehicles on the roads.

The UK, excluding Scotland, has a target limit of 25 ug/m3 to be achieved by next year. Each increase by 10 ug/m3 in levels of PM2.5 is assumed to increase death rates by 6 per cent.

We have taken a look at the towns in Staffordshire, excluding the city of Stoke, to find out how Burton compares to the rest of the county according to the map.

You can use the map to assess air quality in your precise postcode at www.addresspollution.org

BURTON

Very high air pollution

The annual average of the pollutant PM2.5 in Burton is 11.86mcg/m3. The WHO limit is 5mcg/m3.

The reading for PM10 is 17.95mcg/m3. The limit is 15mcg/m3.

The reading for N02 is 22.43mcg/m3. The limit is 10mcg/m3.

UTTOXETER Significant air pollution

The annual average of the pollutant PM2.5 in Uttoxeter town centre is 10.44mcg/m3. The WHO limit is 5mcg/ m3.

The reading for PM10 is 16.31mcg/m3. The limit is 15mcg/m3.

The reading for N02 is 13.96mcg/m3.

The limit is 10mcg/m3.

STAFFORD Significant air pollution

The annual average of the pollutant PM2.5 in Stafford town centre is 9.97mcg/m3. The WHO limit is 5mcg/ m3.

The reading for PM10 is 15.96mcg/m3. The limit is 15mcg/m3.

The reading for N02 is 17.45mcg/m3. The limit is 10mcg/m3.

LICHFIELD High air pollution

The annual average of the pollutant PM2.5 in Lichfield City Centre is 10.69mcg/m3. The WHO limit is 5mcg/ m3.

The reading for PM10 is 16.92mcg/m3. The limit is 15mcg/m3.

The reading for N02 is 20.72mcg/m3. The limit is 10mcg/m3.

CANNOCK Significant air pollution

The annual average of the pollutant PM2.5 in Cannock town centre is 9.99mcg/m3. The WHO limit is 5mcg/ m3.

The reading for PM10 is 16.02mcg/m3. The limit is 15mcg/m3.

The reading for N02 is 17.76mcg/m3. The limit is 10mcg/m3.

TAMWORTH Significant air pollution

The annual average of the pollutant PM2.5 in Tamworth town centre is 10.42mcg/m3. The WHO limit is 5mcg/ m3.

The reading for PM10 is 16.47mcg/m3. The limit is 15mcg/m3.

The reading for N02 is 18.86mcg/m3. The limit is 10mcg/m3.

RUGELEY Significant air pollution

The annual average of the pollutant PM2.5 in Rugeley town centre is 9.82mcg/m3. The WHO limit is 5mcg/ m3.

The reading for PM10 is 15.76mcg/m3. The limit is 15mcg/m3.

The reading for N02 is 16.78mcg/m3. The limit is 10mcg/m3.

LEEK

High air pollution

The annual average of the pollutant PM2.5 in Leek town centre is 10.67mcg/ m3. The WHO limit is 5mcg/m3. The reading for PM10 at this address is 17.09mcg/m3. The limit is 15mcg/m3. The reading for N02 at this address is 24.60mcg/m3. The limit is 10mcg/m3.