Indicators of Sustainable Development

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Indicator: Concentrations of selected air pollutants P1
Concentrations of selected air pollutants: 1987 to 2002
Nitrogen Dioxide Urban peak levels
(national standard 200 µg/m3)		 Nitrogen Dioxide Urban annual average levels
(national standard 40 µg/m3)
   
Indicator Chart
Sulphur Dioxide Urban peak levels
(national standard 266 µg/m3)		 Sulphur dioxide Urban annual average levels
(WHO guideline 20 µg/m3)
Indicator Chart
Carbon Monoxide Urban peak levels
(national standard 10 µg/m3)		 Particle (PM10) Urban peak levels
(national standard 50 µg/m3)
Indicator Chart
Ozone Urban peak levels
(national standard 100 mg/m3)		 Ozone Rural peak levels
(national standard 100 mg/m3)
   
Indicator Chart

Coverage: United Kingdom

Source: NETCEN

NO2, Particulates
Change since
dots 1970
tick 1990
curvey 1998
SO2, CO
Change since
dots 1970
tick 1990
tick 1998
Ozone
Change since
dots 1970
curvey 1990
curvey 1998
Objective: Reduce air pollution and ensure air quality continues to improve through the longer term
  • Pollutants other than ozone have been reducing since 1990, and in most cases have also decreased since 1998, although some trends may be levelling off.
  • Ground level ozone formation is heavily dependent on the weather. As a result it varies greatly from year to year and there is no clear trend.
  • The hot summer in 2003 caused high ozone levels, and also contributed to higher particulate pollution.

Page last modified: 21 April 2004  |  Page published: 21 April 2004