HC Deb 16 February 1989 vol 147 cc379-80W
Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the level of lead in the atmosphere which is considered acceptable in the urban environment and the level which is considered to be detrimental to the health of pedestrians and to the public at large.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

In order to help protect humans against the effect of lead in the environment, the EC directive on lead in air (82/884/EEC) sets a limit value of 2 microgrammes per cubic metre of air (2 mg/m3), expressed as an annual average of measured levels.

Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will provide detailed information of the locations at which the lead content of air in Cardiff was measured during the past two years; what levels were recorded; and if he will give the dates on which measurements were made, and the methods used.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Lead in air levels have been monitored since 1985 at a site in Waungron road, Cardiff. Monitoring has been continuous, using Warren Spring laboratory's M-type sampler, a method which complies with the requirements of the EC directive of lead in air (82/884/EEC).

The following results have been recorded:

Year Annual Average Lead Concentrations (mg/m3)
1985 1.28
1986 0.63
1987 0.67

Results for 1988 are not yet available.

Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what evidence he has available of levels of lead pollution in the air in Cardiff over the last 10 years; what trends have been reflected in measurements taken during the period; and what steps he is taking to reduce lead pollution in the atmosphere in Cardiff and elsewhere in England and Wales.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Lead in air levels in Cardiff have been continuously monitored since 1985. From 1 January 1986 measured levels have decreased by approximately 50 per cent. following the reduction in the permitted lead content of petrol to 0.15 g per litre. To bring about further reductions in lead in air levels, the Government are continuing vigorously to encourage the wider use of unleaded petrol.