Air Quality Management
Air Quality Control/Management |
Clean air is essential in protecting the health and wellbeing of the public. The Borough council through the provision of the Clean Air (NI) Order and related public health acts have the powers to control emissions from certain types of premises causing dark smoke to be emitted or nuisance conditions to prevail. Control of Industrial Processes A new approach to controlling emission from significant Polluting processes emerged in 1998 with the introduction of the Industrial Pollution Control (NI) Order which was revised and replaced by the Pollution Prevention and Control Order in 2004. This new approach requires the permitting of certain processes by District Councils or by the Department of the Environment. A public register of businesses regulated by the Council and the Environment and Heritage Service is maintained by the Environmental Health Department and is available to the public. The Council also has powers under the Clean Air (NI) Order 1981 and the Public Health Acts to deal with polluting activities not otherwise regulated. This would include emission of dark smoke from industrial or trade premises and smoke nuisance to a neighbourhood from burning activities at any premises. Air Quality Standards for air quality have been established by the Government in the Air Quality Regulations (NI) 2003. Emission levels are set for a number of pollutants. Since 1997 Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council has monitored pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, particulates and sulphur dioxide at various locations throughout the Borough. Pollutant sources of particular interest include road traffic and domestic fuel combustion. The Council is also required to assess air quality to identify existing and potential areas of concern. The first round of this process has been completed and none of the standards have been exceeded. A local Air Quality Strategy, which lays out action plans for maintaining good air quality in the District, is under development and will be launched in the Autumn of 2005. The Council published its Local Air Quality Management Strategy 2006 – 2010 in March 2006. Useful Links |
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