Air pollution overview

Road traffic is the major source of air pollution, though other sources include the burning of fossil fuels to provide our energy needs and emissions from the industries that manufacture and handle the goods we use and dispose of, and dust from construction works.

A wide variety of pollutants are released from a number of sources, each of which have a varying impact on humans and the environment.

Research has shown that the majority of car journeys in the UK are less than 3 miles, with vehicles emitting a greater proportion of pollutants within the first mile of a new journey. With an ever-increasing number of vehicles on the road, the issue of air pollution will remain if we continue to use vehicles in the way we currently do.

Newham Council has a regulatory role to manage the levels of air pollution. It does this by understanding the type and level of air pollution in Newham and controlling the level of industrial air pollution through regulation.

As part of our ongoing air quality programme, the London Borough of Newham currently has two automated air pollution monitoring stations, gathering and analysing air pollution data continuously. In addition there are over 20 sites where benzene and nitrogen dioxide are monitored.

Using the local air pollution data the council are able to manage local air quality. As with other local authorities it is doing this by developing a strategy and associated action plan, to reduce the level of air pollution. As motorised vehicles are the main cause, much of the council's plans will look at ways to cut pollution from road traffic.

In order to manage air quality in Newham, the council has a statutory role to provide some industries with a specific set of rules (authorisation) stating how and what they can release into the atmosphere. The Council will investigate and regulate nuisance from dark smoke, smells and dust emitted from industrial and commercial premises.

Newham Council also has a regulatory role in ensuring that construction sites and developments are undertaken with respect for the environment, including air quality. Council employees therefore oversee large regeneration projects such as the 2012 Olympics (including the sourounding regeneration and its legacy), Channel Tunnel Rail Link, Crossrail, the DLR extention and the expantion of London City Airport.