We use a network of low cost diffusion tubes to monitor nitrogen dioxide around the district.
We also have a newly-installed dust monitor, as of November 2022, to help us monitor PM10 and PM2.5 within the district. The dust monitor is currently located in Penkridge near the M6, but it is mobile and will be located in different areas over the coming years.
Data from the diffusion tubes and the dust monitor is included in our annual status reports. They can be found on our Air Quality Page.
For a forecast on current air pollution, please visit DEFRA website.
Contact the team by emailing: environmentalprotection@sstaffs.gov.uk
Why monitor air quality?
There are several reasons why it's so important to measure air quality:
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to ensure that long-term goals and targets to reduce levels of air pollution are being met (i.e. national and EU air quality objectives)
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to provide information to the general public on how good or bad the air quality is in their locality
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to be considered alongside planning applications for new roads, out-of-town shopping centres, major housing developments etc.
Estimates can be made of emissions from sources such as cars and factories etc, but to verify these estimates and get up-to-the-minute information on air quality, it is essential to measure it.