Air Quality

Air quality on the Isle of Man is generally very good. The Island’s first air pollution monitoring station was set-up in November, 1972, at the premises of the Government Laboratory in Douglas. Monitoring began with measurements of smoke and sulphur dioxide in accordance with British Standard. Increasing public interest in air pollution issues, lead to an expansion in the number of monitoring sites, such that by 1990, smoke and sulphur dioxide were being measured at three locations in Douglas and also in Onchan, Ramsey and Peel.

A recent addition to air monitoring provision on the Island, has been the introduction of equipment to measure oxides of nitrogen (NOx) which are largely generated by vehicle exhaust emissions. The monitoring of NOx is undertaken by our colleagues in the Environmental Health Division who operate modern continuous monitoring equipment at locations in Douglas and Peel.

Pollutants Measured

Sulphur dioxide and suspended particulates (smoke) are widely recognised as indicators of air quality. Sulphur dioxide is an acidic gas which is largely responsible for acid rain. Smoke consists of complex organic particles which contain carcinogenic substances. These pollutants are produced from fossil fuels such as coal and oil, the amounts produced vary with the quality of the fuel. Low sulphur and smokeless fuels are more expensive but less polluting.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are produced during fuel combustion, either in vehicle engines or at power stations. They are harmful to the human respiratory system and in urban areas with substantial vehicle traffic, can contribute to photochemical smog.

Air Quality Standards

The Isle of Man Government is committed to producing an environment strategy consultative document, which will propose air quality standards with target dates for compliance.

All of the Island’s monitoring sites presently comply with European Directive 80/779/EEC and the concentration of smoke and SO2 in the air is below the maximum permitted values for these pollutants.

An additional European directive dealing with nitrogen dioxide levels in ambient air, specifies annual continuous monitoring of nitrogen dioxide to determine compliance. A programme of work to assess air quality in relation to NOx levels is currently being undertaken by the Environmental Health Division.

Indoor Air Quality

Air monitoring for asbestos fibres and gaseous pollutants in workplaces is also carried out for compliance with the requirements of the Health and Safety legislation.

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