Quality of Life Indicator
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Community Strategy
In response to Government guidance, the Local Strategic Partnership was formally established in North East Lincolnshire in October 2001. Drawing together senior decision makers from local organisations and partnerships, its first task was the development of a Community Strategy. This Community Strategy has identified a Common Theme or Outcome that:
"People in North East Lincolnshire live in a Safe and Clean Environment"
and that:
"All people have access to the basics of life, good food, clean air and water, shelter and fuel at reasonable cost".
In order to monitor progress against this outcome the strategy identifies performance indicators, one of which is for air pollution (CO1.4). This indicator is actually one of a set of voluntary Quality of Life indicators (QoL's) produced by the Audit Commission for local authorities. Their collective purpose is to help promote the social, economic and environmental well-being of the Local Authorities areas. The Air pollution indicator is QoL27.
Quality of Life Indicator 27 (QoL27)
Quality of Life indicator 27 (QoL27), or Common Outcome 1.4 (CO1.4) in the Community Strategy, requires Particulate Matter (PM10), Nitrogen Dioxide and Ozone to be monitored and reported on quarterly. The actual reporting criteria is listed below:
a) The number of days per year when air pollution is moderate or higher for Particulates (Roadside and Urban Background monitoring locations)
b) The annual average Nitrogen Dioxide concentration (Roadside and Urban Background monitoring locations)
c) The number of days per year when air pollution is moderate or higher for Ozone (rural monitoring location).
The current real time monitoring station at Fryston House, Grimsby is providing the necessary data for Nitrogen Dioxide and Particulates (roadside monitoring location) but in order to be able to report on all of the criteria it will be necessary to purchase further real time monitoring equipment. This includes a dedicated monitoring station equipped with an Ozone real time analyser located in a rural location and a dedicated monitoring station equipped with both a Nitrogen Dioxide and a Particulates real time analyser located at an urban background location.
Targets
The table below contains the targets in realtion to QoL27 for North East Lincolnshire. These targets are consistant with four of the National Air Quality Standards.
|
Reporting Criteria |
Target |
| Number of Days Per Year when Air Pollution is Moderate or Higher for Particulate Matter (PM10) (R) |
< or = to 35 Per Year by 2004
< or = to 7 Per Year from 2005 up to and Beyond 2010 |
| Number of Days Per Year when Air Pollution is Moderate or Higher for Particulate Matter (PM10) (UB) |
< or = to 35 Per Year by 2004
< or = to 7 Per Year from 2005 up to and Beyond 2010 |
| Annual Average Nitrogen Dioxide Concentration (µg/m3) (R) |
40 by 2005 and beyond |
| Annual Average Nitrogen Dioxide Concentration (µg/m3) (UB) |
40 by 2005 and beyond |
| Number of Days Per Year when Air Pollution is Moderate or Higher for Ozone (Ru) |
< or = to 10 Per Year by 2005 and beyond |
Note: R = Roadside, UB = Urban Background, Ru = Rural (monitoring locations)
Results
The table below contains the current available information on QoL27 for North East Lincolnshire:
|
Reporting Criteria |
2002 Baseline |
2003 Quarter 1 |
2003 Quarter 2 |
2003 Quarter 3 |
2003 Quarter 4 |
| Number of Days Per Year When Air Pollution is Moderate or Higher for Particulate Matter (PM10) (R) |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
- |
| Number of Days Per Year When Air Pollution is Moderate or Higher for Particulate Matter (PM10) (UB) |
No Data |
No Data |
No Data |
No Data |
- |
| Annual Average Nitrogen Dioxide Concentration (µg/m3) (R) |
36.6 |
40.5 |
36.0 |
32.6 |
- |
| Annual Average Nitrogen Dioxide Concentration (µg/m3) (UB) |
No Data |
No Data |
No Data |
No Data |
- |
|
Number of Days Per Year When Air Pollution is Moderate or Higher for Ozone (Ru) |
No Data |
No Data |
No Data |
No Data |
- |
Note: R = Roadside, UB = Urban Background, Ru = Rural (monitoring locations). QA/QC = Quality Assurance / Quality Control.
Conclusions
It is too early to draw firm conclusions as to whether we are on track to meet the targets but based on the limited information it would appear that the 2004 PM10 targets will be achieved (roadside monitoring location). New monitoring information will be continuously added as appropriate.
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