Air Quality
We have a responsibility to measure the quality of air in the district to ensure that it meets required standards for certain pollutants. We monitor nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter.
Air Quality Management Areas
There are currently five declared Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2).
- AQMA 1: A5460 Narborough Road South
- AQMA 2: M1 corridor in Enderby and Narborough
- AQMA 3: M1 corridor between Thorpe Astley and Kirby Muxloe
- AQMA 4B: Enderby Road, Whetstone
- AQMA 6: Mill Hill, Enderby
Monitoring and Assessment
We use Air Quality Monitoring Stations (AQMSs) to sample the air to detect the concentration of pollutants. This equipment identifies trends and patterns of air pollution.
There are currently five AQMSs in the District, one of which is owned by Leicestershire County Council and operated by us. Two of the AQMSs monitor Particulate Matter (fine sooty particles), whilst all monitor Nitrogen Dioxide. The stations are located at:
- Packhorse Drive, Enderby (near AQMA 2)
- Mill Hill, Enderby (in AQMA 6)
- Stamford Street, Glenfield
- Hinckley Road, Leicester Forest East (in AQMA 3)
- Lubbesthorpe Road, Braunstone Town (near AQMA 1)
There are also 27 diffusion tubes monitoring the levels of Nitrogen Dioxide placed across the District. These monitor within AQMAs and also areas of potential higher levels of nitrogen dioxide.
An Action Plan to reduce the level of Nitrogen Dioxide in the AQMAs has been produced by the Council.
Results of monitoring for Nitrogen Dioxide
The National Air Quality Objective for the average annual concentration of nitrogen dioxide is 40 micrograms per meter cubed. An AQMA is declared when this figure is exceeded.
Further information on the results of the monitoring carried out can be found within the reports below.
If you require monitoring results from our air quality monitoring stations, please contact us by using the form at the bottom of the page.
Use the link in the External links section to check the latest monitoring results in Blaby District. Please note that the data require calculations to be applied before being final.