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air quality
Sulphur Dioxide Concentrations: 1962-2005
Short-term records for AQS compliance
Number of 15-min means exceeding µg/m3 |
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Site 13 | 1995 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 |
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Glasgow Centre | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Edinburgh 2 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 2 | 0 |
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Grangemouth | - | - | 7 | 28 | 18 | 60 | 4 |
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Annual Winter mean concentration (µg/m3) |
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Site 13 | 1995 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 |
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Glasgow Centre 6 | - | 10 | 7 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
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Edinburgh 2 | 20 | 5 | 3 | - | - | 2 | 3 |
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Grangemouth | - | - | 5 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 9 |
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The predominant source of atmospheric sulphur dioxide (SO 2) is the combustion of sulphur-containing fossil fuels, mainly coal and heavy oils. Annual urban SO 2 levels have fallen by around 75% since the 1956 Clean Air Act was introduced to combat smog.
High SO 2 levels over a short period of time are important as such incidents may cause respiratory difficulties. The Air Quality Strategy 4 objective for SO 2 stipulates that a 15-minute mean of 266µg/m 3 should not be exceeded more than 35 times a year (to be met by the end of 2005). This was achieved at all three sites in 2005. However, there is currently in place an Air Quality Management Area ( AQMA) at Grangemouth for the 15 minute objective, based on 2004 exceedences.
In cold weather, SO 2 can contribute to acidification that damages vegetation and ecosystems. The AQS objective for ecosystem protection, a winter (1 October-31 March) mean of 20µg/m 3, is currently met at all Scottish automatic monitoring stations.
SOURCE: UK NATIONAL AIR QUALITY ARCHIVE
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