Air Pollution in Northampton Town Council.
Northampton among other towns and cities of UK is no exception as far as air pollution is concerned. This has led the county to designate eleven areas as Air Quality Management Areas(AQMAs) due to high levels of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2). The Nene Valley and Barrack Road among other locations have been designated areas of Air Quality Management. The main source of air pollution in Northampton is emissions from vehicles and Industries (Crake2009). Other areas include St James, Victoria Promenade, Kislingburg and areas along the M1 corridor(www.e.health@northampton.gov.uk)

Northampton declared so many air Quality Management Areas(AQMAs) in order to deal with the problem at the source as early as they can, reducing the effects of Global Warming as well as preventing acute health problems and reduce their direct impact upon the planet. Diesel engines emit as much as 26 automobiles (USA Environmental Protection Agency 2001-2002). Northampton has a high volume of industries and lies in the midlands with a high proportion of delivery trucks in and surrounding areas as compared to other cities. It is a centre of activity as far as transport business is concerned hence a high level of emissions from vehicles. It has a busy motorway (M1) that connects the south region to the north which adds to its problem of emissions.

Air pollution has a risk of people inhaling dangerous chemicals that will have found their way into the air. Each person has a capacity to inhale 20,000 litres of air every day. This air can be trapped inside buildings causing indoor pollution that lasts for a long time (Environment-A Global Challenge 1999).All pollution cause risk to human health and also affects the ecosystem (Caroline el at 1999). The fine dust is produced by diesel exhausts, power stations and industry. The UK has estimated the safe level for these particles is exceeded in most cities 10 percent of the time, causing 2,000-10,000 extra deaths per year (WHO, 1995; Martinson, 1996).


Real Time Analysers have been installed to accurately monitor local nitrogen oxide (N02) levels in the areas that have been designated Air Quality Management Areas in Northampton. Data is downloaded from these analysers every two days to provide a clear picture of the air quality (Burridge 2006, www.bbc.co.uk). Other solutions that can reduce air pollution include driving a car that gets at least 35 miles a gallon, walking, using a bicycle, using mass transit when possible. Others include making homes more energy efficient, using energy efficient appliances, recycle newspapers, aluminium and other materials. The most common solutions include planting trees, avoiding purchasing products such as Styrofoam that contain CFCs, supporting much stricter clean air laws and enforcement of international laws. Northampton county Council is trying all the best practises available to keep the pollution levels low. The big question is are they winning the race?
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