Emissions of Air pollutants in the UK, 1970 to 2010 – Supplementary
The release is supplementary to the statistical release Emissions of air pollutants in the UK, 1970 to 2010 of 15 December 2011. This reported 
emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, non-methane volatile organic compounds and ammonia, which are covered by the National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD) (see below). These pollutants are also presented here for completeness.
Defra National Statistics Release includes emissions of air pollutants that are covered by the UK Air Quality Strategy: benzene, 1,3-butadiene, carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, ozone, particulates (PM10 and PM2.5), ammonia, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and sulphur dioxide. However not all pollutants reported are covered in the Air Quality Strategy. These other pollutants are still important in terms of potential effects on health and the wider environment, but action is not required in the UK to meet a particular standard.
Although air pollution is an important local issue, the many pollutants can be carried long distances which means that the effects of emissions may be experienced many miles from their source. This means that air pollution is addressed at all levels, from local to international.
The UK Air Quality Strategy contains policies for the assessment and management of air quality and implementation of European Union (EU) and international agreements including:
- The National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD) sets ceilings for each EU Member State for emissions of ammonia, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs). These pollutants are responsible for acidification and eutrophication of habitats, and formation of ground level ozone. Refer to the National Statistics release Emissions of air pollutants in the UK, 1970 to 2010 for more details.
- The Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution addresses some of the major environmental problems of the UNECE region through scientific collaboration and policy negotiation. Created in 1979, the Convention is extended by eight protocols that identify specific measures to be taken by Parties to cut their emissions of air pollutants. Parties develop policies and strategies to combat the discharge of air pollutants through exchanges of information, consultation, research and monitoring.
Emissions of air pollutants in the UK, 1970 to 2010 – Supplementary
- Emissions of twenty-six reported air pollutants have shown long-term improvement, with large reductions compared with levels in 1970 and 1990.
- Emissions of the ten pollutants and their precursors covered by the UK Air Quality Strategy have seen reductions between 1990 and 2010 ranging from 21 per cent for ammonia through to 98 per cent for lead.
- Between 2009 and 2010, of the ten pollutants covered by the UK Air Quality Strategy, for six the level of emissions showed an improvement, for two emissions changed little (particulates and ammonia), and for two emissions increased by two per cent (sulphur dioxide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons).
- Emissions of eight metals (which are not covered by the UK Air Quality Strategy) have seen improvements with reductions between 1990 and 2010 ranging from 61 per cent for selenium through to 90 per cent for cadmium.
- Between 2009 and 2010, emissions of arsenic, chromium, mercury and nickel showed an improvement while emissions of cadmium, copper, selenium and zinc increased but not sufficiently to exceed levels in 2008 or earlier.
- Emissions of five persistent organic pollutants (which are not covered by the UK Air Quality Strategy) have seen improvements with reductions between 1990 and 2010 ranging from 55 per cent for pentachlorophenol to 99 per cent for hexachlorobenzene.
- Between 2009 and 2010 there was an improvement in emissions for three persistent organic pollutants, whilst hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and dioxins and furans increased by three and 14 per cent respectively.
