The main sources of airborne lead (Pb) include the manufacture of batteries, pigments, alloys and ammunition as well as industrial combustion processes. In the past it was widely used as an "anti-knock" additive in petrol. However this has now largely ceased with the introduction of unleaded petrol.
Airborne lead is absorbed into the body through the lungs and accumulates particularly in bone, teeth, skin and muscle. The health effects of low level exposure to lead relate to the central nervous system.
The council does not monitor lead routinely, but a recent 12-month monitoring exercise showed that local concentrations are about 6% of the National Air Quality Strategy objective. More details can be obtained from the detailed assessment
Visit the NAEI website for information on the national emissions of lead.
You can discover more about local lead emissions on the Environment Agency's website.
