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Air Quality Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, 1990-2008

On Wednesday 13 October 2010, the 1990-2008 Air Quality Inventories was published via the National Atmospheric Emissions Industry (NAEI) website. The report presents emission inventories for the constituent countries of the UK for the period 1990 to 2008, for seven priority air quality pollutants.

The information published in this report will be used to inform UK reporting against a series of European Directives seeking to control emissions of air pollution.

The key points for Wales are:

  • Emissions of all seven priority air quality pollutants decreased between 1990 and 2008.
  • Ammonia emissions decreased by 22%, from 34 kilotonnes in 1990 to 27 kilotonnes in 2008. Agriculture, the predominant source of ammonia emissions, has seen a large decrease.
  • Carbon monoxide emissions decreased by 61%, from 661 kilotonnes in 1990 to 261 kilotonnes in 2008. The decline in emissions from transport sources has been a major contributor to this decrease.
  • Nitrogen oxides emissions decreased by 38%, from 170 kilotonnes in 1990 to 106 kilotonnes in 2008. Power generation and transport are major sources of nitrogen oxides, both of which have seen decreases in emissions since 1990.
  • Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compounds emissions decreased by 62%, from 130 kilotonnes in 1990 to 50 kilotonnes in 2008. There have been large reductions in emissions from road transport sources.
  • Sub-10 micron particulate matter (PM10) emissions decreased by 47%, from 20 kilotonnes in 1990 to 11 kilotonnes in 2008. Heavy industry plays a greater part in PM10 emissions in Wales than any other UK country. There has been a 48% reduction in PM10 emissions from industrial activities since 1990.
  • Sulphur dioxide emissions decreased by 78%, from 189 kilotonnes in 1990 to 42 kilotonnes in 2008. The power generation sector was previously the highest emitter of sulphur dioxide, but emissions in this sector have been reduced by the installation of flue gas desulphurisation technology at Aberthaw power station in 2007.
  • Lead emissions decreased by 91%, from 0.14 kilotonnes in 1990 to 0.01 kilotonnes in 2008. The phasing out of leaded petrol was the most significant contributor to this decrease.

Contact

Tel: 029 2082 6399
E-mail: stats.environment@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Next update

October 2011 (provisional - to be confirmed on the 'Due Out Soon' page)