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Pollution - Air Quality

The Environmental Protection Team operates a number of individual diffusion tube sites throughout the borough. These diffusion tubes measure the amount of nitrogen dioxide in the air we breathe.

The quality of the air we breathe is important for our health and wellbeing. During large scale events such as the fire at the fuel depot site at Buncefield, the pollution of the air is a very obvious and visible occurrence. However, pollution from traffic and industry is often not visible.

We are a member of the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Air Pollution Monitoring Network (HBAPMN).

All local authorities have been assessing air quality across their areas and comparing it against national objectives, set out in the Government's Clean Air Strategy, for a number of pollutants including carbon monoxide, benzene, 1,3 butadiene, lead, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter and sulphur dioxide. Where air quality is poor an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) is declared and, where possible, local action taken to improve the air in that area. Following sustained compliance with the National Air Quality Objective for nitrogen dioxide, all six of Hertsmere Borough Council's AQMAs were revoked in May 2024.

In 2019 the Government produced The Clean Air Strategy 2019, which sets out the comprehensive actions required across all parts of government and society to improve air quality.

The strategy sets out how we will:

  • protect the nation’s health
  • protect the environment
  • secure clean growth and innovation
  • reduce emissions from transport, homes, farming and industry
  • monitor our progress

It complements three other UK government strategies: the Industrial Strategy, the Clean Growth Strategy and the 25-Year Environment Plan

Outlined in the strategy are the air quality objectives for a number of pollutants the Government feels are of most concern at present. Some of these are detailed below.

Contact us

If you need further information regarding air quality please contact Craig Gent, Senior Scientific Officer on 020 8207 2277 or email environmental.health@hertsmere.gov.uk

Herts and Beds Air Alert System

Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Air Pollution Alert System, the free air pollution alert messaging system

Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Air Pollution Alert System is a free service to subscribers in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire that sends registered users an alert message if air pollution in their area is forecast or measured to be moderate, high or very high. The description of the level of pollution is based upon the UK's Air Quality Banding System.

The alert service is provided for anyone wishing to know about the quality of the air they breathe. It will be of particular benefit to people with medical conditions that may be affected by pollution, such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. It may also benefit people whose breathing gets worse when air pollution increases. This early warning service allows you to make informed decisions and to take action if necessary to minimise the effects of pollution episodes.

Sign up for air quality notifications.

Clean Air Night

Did you know that lighting fires in our homes is the largest source of harmful small particle air pollution in the UK? This type of air pollution can cause life-threatening illnesses, including heart and lung disease, making it crucial that we raise awareness about this growing issue.

Wood burning not only harms your health, but also your wallet and the planet. Pressures on household finances or desires to be more eco-friendly may tempt people to burn wood, but research actually shows that wood burning produces more carbon dioxide than oil or gas and is almost always more expensive than other forms of heating.

That’s why the first-ever Clean Air Night is taking place on 24 January 2024, to shine a light on the uncomfortable truth about wood burning.

We are supporting this important new campaign, in order to highlight the negative impact wood burning stoves may have upon health, the environment and your finances.

This Clean Air Night, learn the truth about wood burning and help protect yourself, your family and your community by sharing what you’ve learned.

Visit the Clean Air Hub to find out more or check out #CleanAirNight.