High Level Summary of Statistics Trend Last update: Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Scottish Air Pollutants
Overall air quality in the UK is currently estimated to be better than at any time since the industrial revolution. However air pollution is still estimated to reduce the life expectancy of every person in the UK by an average of 7-8 months (AQS, 2007). A number of policies are currently in place in an attempt to improve air quality, including the air quality strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Emissions data show a similar pattern with reductions in the emissions of the main pollutants. Since 1990, there have been decreases of 17 per cent for ammonia, 45 per cent for nitrogen oxides, 52 per cent for PM10, 62 per cent for Non Methane Volatile Organic Compounds (NMVOCs), 75 per cent for sulphur dioxide, 77 per cent for carbon monoxide and 99 per cent for lead.
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Source: National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory
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