§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he will take to improve the air quality at Tinsley, Sheffield, as measured by his air quality tests.
§ Mr. MacleanThe air quality measurements made at the Tinsley site suggest that motor traffic in the surrounding area is responsible for much of the oxides of nitrogen monitored there. From 31 December 1993, all new cars entering into service will have to comply with strict new European Community emission standards. This will result in a steady improvement in air quality at sites such as Tinsley.
§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue advice to residents of Tinsley, Sheffield, as to the health implications of the air quality tests conducted near to the M1 motorway.
§ Mr. MacleanAdvice on the health implications of air pollution episodes is available on a free telephone line (0800 556677) and from general practitioners. Daily air quality bulletins and forecasts are available on the same telephone line, on CEEFAX and in some newspapers.
§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the comparability of air quality measurements made at different types of sites.
§ Mr. MacleanThe comparability of air quality measurements of ozone and the oxides of nitrogen was examined for my Department by the photochemical oxidants review group in its first and second reports. Warren Spring laboratory has performed the same function for the smoke and sulphur dioxide surveys. The quality of urban air review group was asked in January to consider this issue for a wider range of urban pollutants.
§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria are used to determine the location at which checks for air quality are carried out.
§ Mr. MacleanAir quality monitoring carried out on behalf of the Department of the Environment usually requires expensive instrumentation, operating over extended periods, so careful siting is imperative. The aim is to assess the general exposure of the public and the natural environment to a range of pollutants of policy concern. These considerations determine the general locality in which measurements are undertaken; specific locations are selected on the basis of access, cost and security.
§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has made to Sheffield city council to their representations about the equipment and procedures used by his Department to measure air quality; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. MacleanMy hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Mr. Baldry) visited Sheffield last autumn and was pleased to see the comprehensive urban air pollution monitoring network which has been established there. The city council has been in correspondence with my Department about a number of issues concerning instrumentation, the choice of monitoring sites and the air quality bulletin system.