This table relates the effects of the main air pollutants upon sensitive individuals who may already suffer from health problems:
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Pollutant
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Source
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Health and environmental effects
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Sulphur dioxide (SO2)
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Burning of coal & oil, e.g. power stations
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Reacts with water in the atmosphere to form sulphuric acid (acid rain). Can irritate the respiratory system, damages plants & buildings.
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Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and Nitrogen oxide (NO)
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Burning of fuels, e.g. motor vehicles, factories
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Can irritate eyes & respiratory system. Can form smog in towns & cities. Contributes to acid rain by forming nitric acid in atmosphere.
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Carbon monoxide (CO)
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Vehicle exhausts
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Can prevent the blood from taking up oxygen from the lungs.
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Particles (PM10)
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Diesel vehicle exhausts, industry
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Can irritate eyes and respiratory system. Can penetrate deep into the lungs. Damages plants & discolours buildings.
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Lead (Pb)
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Vehicle exhausts, industry
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Less lead in air now due to use of unleaded petrol. Can affect the nervous system.
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Ozone (O3)
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Secondary pollutant
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Can irritate eyes and respiratory system. Damages plants and materials such as rubber.
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Benzene
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Petrol car exhausts, petrol stations, industry
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Carcinogenic at very high levels.
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Air quality and air pollution
Air pollution has been a problem in Britain for centuries and killer smogs in towns and cities were common until the first Clean Air Act was introduced in 1956. This outlawed many of the practices that led to episodes of air pollution and smog, such as burning smoky coal and dark smoke emissions from industry.
There have been dramatic improvements in air quality since then, although air pollution still occurs and can still affect health. People in good health will generally not suffer any serious short-term effects from air pollution. However, more sensitive people, such as the very young or old, and people with heart or lung conditions may be adversely affected.
What can I do to help improve air quality?
We can all play a part in improving the air quality in our area by: using the car less often and using public transport or walking; avoiding lighting bonfires and taking rubbish to the nearest civic amenity site instead; avoiding the use of solid fuels at home and using only smokeless fuels; using less energy at home by insulating cavity walls and lofts, choosing energy efficient appliances and using energy efficient light bulbs.
Further information on air quality
If you want to find out about current air quality, the latest information is available on Ceefax, Teletext, Freephone and on the Internet:
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Freephone 0800 556677
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Teletext: page 106
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Ceefax: pages 410-417
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Internet:
General government information on air quality subjects is available from DEFRA| (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).
Falkirk Council Air Quality Review and Assessment reports are available for viewing at libraries and One Stop Shops.