What's the truth about air quality in Ellesmere Port and Neston?
Despite people's concerns, air quality in Ellesmere Port and Neston is actually improving, while the standards that we must meet are becoming more stringent all the time.
where's the evidence to prove this?
The council monitors levels of various pollutants 24-hours-a-day and has 26 high tech monitoring stations dotted across the borough.
We know that last year emissions of sulphur dioxide (from burning fossil fuels) in Ellesmere Port were less than half that recorded in 1998 and only 5% of the levels recorded in the 1960s.
Despite the growth in car ownership, improvements in vehicle and fuel technology have helped cause overall exhaust emissions to fall. However, these are predicted to rise again by 2015 if the amount of traffic on our roads continues to increase.
Nitrogen dioxide levels (from traffic and industry) in the UK have halved since their peak in 1989.
What's the main cause of pollution?
The finger is often pointed at industry, but the truth is much of our local air pollution comes from traffic. Bonfires and open fires in the home can also contribute to increased air pollution.
Sometimes there are bad smells. Surely this is harmful to health.
Not necessarily. Smells are often quite harmless. Our noses are sensitive air quality monitors in themselves, but they're so sensitive that they can detect rotten cabbage smells 1,000 times below the known workplace safety level and rotten eggs smells 20,000 times below occupational safety levels. Best evidence suggests that smells are not normally a cause of ill health but they are a nuisance.
Is pollution worse here than elsewhere?
If you were to compare Ellesmere Port town centre to a rural area, then yes, levels of certain pollutants would be higher. However, comparing Ellesmere Port to other industrial areas gives some pleasantly surprising results.
Is air quality worse at night-time than during the day?
Contrary to popular belief, pollution levels tend to be lower at night than during the day. Very often emissions from local industry that can be seen against the night sky are steam vapours which become visible in the cold night air.
How can I get more information about air quality?
Call the Airwatch helpline on 0151 356 6633 during office hours. The council's Pollution Control team will be able to answer your questions or send you more detailed information.
AIR QUALITY - AIRWATCH CAMPAIGN - MESSENGER SUMMER 2003TAKE a deep breath - air quality in the borough has been improving every year since 1965!
Telling the truth about air quality is all part of a major campaign, that has just been launched in the borough.
Every household in Ellesmere Port and Neston has this week received a letter from the borough council telling them the real facts about local air quality, as part of the new Airwatch Campaign.
A telephone helpline, signs on council vehicles, a series of information leaflets and electronic public displays are also some of the ways that the Airwatch Campaign is striving to convey accurate air quality information to residents.
The campaign was organised by the borough council in partnership with Ellesmere Port and Neston's Local Air Quality Forum, and is being funded by the Epicentre Partnership.
The idea is to make sure residents have all of the important information about the campaign plus details of how they can have their air quality questions answered.
So what causes those "bad air" days? In fact, the highest polluter in the region is down to traffic - not the industrial element, as many people believe.
Mike Whittaker, the council's Head of Environmental Health Services, said:
"Research carried out by the council shows that local people rate air quality as a priority issue which concerns them, but it also reveals there are lots of myths and misinformation that lead people to believe the borough suffers from poor quality air.
"The truth is air quality in the borough is no different from neighbouring towns and, in some cases, better.
"Pollution levels in Ellesmere Port and Neston are officially classified as low.
"But we're not complacent. We take air pollution very seriously and monitor it 24 hours a day via the council's high tech monitoring stations. The unique Air Quality Forum, which draws together the council, industry, pressure groups, residents and health professionals, works hard to tackle air quality issues and ensure we continue to make these improvements."
Mike added: "Through the Airwatch campaign we will give people truthful, accurate, trustworthy information about air quality and provide them with simple ways of getting answers to their air pollution questions.
"One of the key features of the campaign is an Airwatch helpline, which people can phone to get more information about air quality or report air pollution issues and we would welcome your comments."
The helpline number is 0151 356 6633. The line is staffed between 9am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Outside these times, callers will be asked to leave a message and their phone number, so that an officer can get back to them at the earliest opportunity.
What we can do to help improve the air we breathe
Out and about - it's easy for people to think that they can't do anything to improve the air outside, especially living close to industry. But as the biggest threat to our air is cars, we can all do our bit to make a difference.
At home - We spend 90% of our time indoors and evidence now exists to suggest that indoor air pollution is worse than that outdoors.
The good news is we can all take steps to improve our home environment. Indoor pollution is caused by fumes from household chemicals, building materials, smoking, appliances and heaters, and furnishings.
