Air pollution prevention and control in UK Name of the university Name

Air pollution prevention and control in UK Name of the student Name of the university Author note Table of contents Introduction 3 Sources of NOx Pollution in UK 3 Effect of the NOx Pollution in UK 6 National air quality law and policy introduced in UK 7 Trends in the concentrations of NO and NO2 9 How the Nox concentrations are changing in the near future? It is true that UK has developed its own PPC version as the Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) through the application of Environmental protection Act

Air pollution prevention and control in UK
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

Table of contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Sources of NOx Pollution in UK.....................................................................................................3
Effect of the NOx Pollution in UK..................................................................................................6
National air quality law and policy introduced in UK.....................................................................7
Trends in the concentrations of NO and NO2.................................................................................9
How the Nox concentrations are changing in the near future?......................................................12
Recommendations..........................................................................................................................12
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................13
Reference list and bibliography.....................................................................................................14

Introduction
NOx pollution has become the burning topic in the 21st century. It is true that UK has developed
its own PPC version as the Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) through the application of
Environmental protection Act 1990, however recently the current regime of PPC has stopped
from 1996 EC Directives (Gov.uk 2020). The government has started introducing various
controlling laws that can generate the better air quality in the country. On the other hand, the
Industrial Emissions Detective has been introduced for improvising the PPC regulations in UK.
In the UK context pollution prevention and control has become the integrated approach that can
significantly manage the environment impacts. The purpose of this study is to develop the report
based on the context of NOx Pollution prevention and control in UK. Here critically analyzing
the factors as well as changing prevention initiatives adopted in UK by referring some statistical
information. In the end of this study, some recommendations have been provide that can
introduce betterment while dealing with the NOx Pollution.
Sources of NOx Pollution in UK
The industrial, domestic and traffic sources play important role for influencing the air
contamination process in UK. However, in case of identifying the causes of NOx Pollution
different authors have shared their different thoughts where some of them has mentioned energy
sector as the major influencing factor, some of them has mentioned the traffic as the major
reason behind the NOx pollution (Zore, Čuček and Kravanja 2018). In case of NOx pollution
various sources have been identified. Those are as follows.

Figure: Sources of NOx pollution in UK from 1970 to 2020
(Source: Uk-air.defra.gov.uk 2020)
According to Cai et al. (2018), mostly in case of towns, traffic is the major reason behind the air
pollution that increases the amount of nitrogen dioxide in the air. In the above diagram, it haas
been clearly mentioned that the NOx pollution took place in UK due to road, industrial,
domestic, non-road transport and power plants. However, among all the sources, road transport
can be considered as the important factor behind high NOx emission. Comparing the emission
from petrol and diesel vehicles, it has been identified that diesel vehicles create much higher
level of emission. By supporting this Samoli et al. (2016) stated that clean air has become the
major threat for UK due to excessive amount of traffic pollution. It is true that the road pollution
contributes almost 49% of the total emission of Nox. In the above diagram, it is clearly
mentioned that the road emissions have got reduced almost 34% between 1990 and 2000. Road
traffic emissions also contribute in producing the greenhouse gasses that influence the rate of

global warming. It is true that after the improvement of engine design, the three–way catalysts
initiative has been strictly added in the EU emission standard.
Figure: Sources of Nox pollution in UK
(Source: Uk-air.defra.gov.uk 2020)
In the above diagram, different sources of Nox pollution have been mentioned. It has been
identified that maximum amount of NOx pollution occurs from on road diesel and on road
gasoline. In the above report, it has been identified that not only the on road diesel and on road
gasoline but also residential oil and gas combustion, institutional combustion, non-road diesel,
non-road other fuels, commercial marine, electric utilities and waste disposal are the influential
sources behind the NOx pollution in UK environment.
In the report published in 2014, it has been clearly mentioned that industrial pollution in UK is
increasing in the drastic manner that is costing billions in each year. As per the investment
report, Britain costs almost reached £3.4bn to £9.5bn in every year, due to the health and
environmental emergencies for the industrial pollution (Eea.europa.eu 2020). Because of the
diesel emission in the year 2015 total numbers of 3800 people died. It negatively influences the

ecosystem thaat creates harmful impact on plants and animals too. Analyzing the industrial
pollution profile in 2018, it has been identified that the trend of industrial pollution is quite high
in the UK. The financial cost of NOx Pollution from the large power stations are being
controlled. Due to high population densities in the industrial areas, the health cost is increasing
every day. In the support of above statement Smith (2018) opined that emission from power
plants is responsible for high damage costs. The manufacturing industries contribute
almost £19.8bn-£24.1bn in generating the cost of pollution, which brings the significant impact
on the UK economy (Bagayev and Lochard 2017). It is true that Britain has top 100 polluting
plants that generate 30 million tonnes of Nox in every year (Eea.europa.eu 2020).
By contradicting both the above causes Bogush et al. (2018) stated that burning fuels in houses
are also responsible for generating the pollution in the air. According to the WHO report, it can
be said that almost 3.8 million people die due to the exposure of household NOx Pollution in
every year (Lott, Pye and Dodds 2017). It can cause health damaging and increasing fine
particles of carbon monoxide can increase cardiac disease.
Effect of the NOx Pollution in UK
Nitrogen dioxide can be considered as the brown gas that is the chemical formula of NO2. From
the burning fuels from car engine, NOx is being emitted. NOx can negatively influence the
health condition. Due to the NOx emission from airways, long time impact on the human lungs
(Gov.uk 2020). Individuals who are dynamic outside, particularly open-air laborers, are likewise
at more noteworthy chance in influenced territories (Eea.europa.eu 2020). Analyzing the total
emission of NOx from 2970 to 2000, it has been identified the emission rate has got reduced
almost 37% in different power and road stations. Atmosphere change likewise can possibly
expand ground-level ozone concentrations so this must likewise be checked and reflected in

measures to handle ozone contamination going advances. Kids are at specific hazard from
presentation to ozone in light of the fact that their lungs are still creating and they are bound to
be dynamic outside when ozone levels are high, so their degrees of presentation might be
especially noteworthy (Linou et al. 2018).
In the mid-2000s, the average exposure of man-made PM2.5, it reached around 9m (Huang et al.
2018). As its impact the risk of morality has reached 5%. Therefore, it can be said that in the
same year almost 5% off the entire death were associated with the PM2.5. In each year 6000000
deaths records have been identified in UK among which 5% of the entire amount were occurred
due to Nox.
High level of NOx has brought thee negative impact on the vegetation and reduced the growth,
which created the agricultural crisis in the country. Nox has polluted the sunlight which damaged
thee vegetation with high concentration (Assets.publishing.service.gov.uk 2020). Both the direct
and indirect of Nox pollution has been identified in UK. Creating the breathing issues,
headaches, chronic reduce in long fnction and others health issues have increased the death ratio
in the country.
National air quality law and policy introduced in UK
It cannot be denied that NOx Pollution has brought the devastating impact on the UK population,
which caused ill health as well as death. It has become the biggest global killer, which is costing
the UK economy almost $20 billion in every year. It has been identified that each year the death
ratio is increasing 8.3%. The New England States have introduced various legislative framework
for reducing the NOx pollution in the UK environment. In order to modify the combustion
process, changes have been introduced by the government. As per the air pollution guidelines

provided by WHO, almost 44 cities have been failed to maintain the air quality standard
(Theguardian.com 2020). The non-government and government agencies in UK have addressed
the widespread sources of pollution in UK which includes transport, energy industry and
households. In terms of implementing the solution in local regions, the local hotspots are using
by the government by binding the targets legally. As per the UK Air Quality strategy objectives
for NO2, limiting the values Air quality strategy (2000) and EU First daughter Directive (99`30`
EC) have been introduced. The government has taken necessary action in terms of reducing the
effect of NOx Pollution by implementing the adequate measuring techniques. In terms of
maintaining all the Environmental standard, the government had revised the Environmental Act.
In the year 2019, the as per the Environmental bill it has been mentioned that by rebooting the
protection for health and environment the government has introduced 12 quality standard
guidelines (Assets.publishing.service.gov.uk 2020). As per the Environment Act 1995, the local
air quality has been managed. Scotland, England and Wales have been included in this process
and as per the requirement of the area will show the reduced air quality in that case the area will
go under the Air quality management area (AQMA) designing process (Londoncouncils.gov.uk
2020).
In the year 2015, the third consultation has been launched for revising the Local Air Quality
management, where the report has been published depending on the emission of PM2.5. By
clarifying the roles as well as responsibilities, the air quality management guidelines have been
provided by the government (Londoncouncils.gov.uk 2020).
Clean Air Act 1993 was introduced by the government in UK for handling excessive amount of
emission of Nitrogen Oxide. The Clean air quality Act 1995 has been revised where the
government has focused on emitting the smoke and dark from the air as these are influential for

promoting the negative emission in the air (Policyconnect.org.uk 2020). Almost $255 billion
fund has been proposed by the government for meeting the air quality standard guidelines. In the
year 2017, the budget has reached almost $300 billion (Policyconnect.org.uk 2020).
The climate change Act 2008 has been revised by revising the target by particularly focusing on
England. As per this strategic move, the government has tries to reduce the amount of NOx
Pollution 8-0% over 2050 (Bregroup.com 2020). In order to reduce the amount off NO2
emission from the industrial sector, the government has introduced certain limits that has
contributed in limiting the NO2 emissions. In the year 2017, legal proceeding has been
introduced for handling the climate and earth. As per the Euro 6 Standard, 1.2 million vehicles
have been brought in England for emission testing process, which can be considered as the
significant initiative by the government towards controlling emission of harmful gasses
(Publications.parliament.uk 2020). The policies related to the vehicle exhaust emissions has
mentioned the importance of electronic vehicles for avoiding the NOx Pollution.
Trends in the concentrations of NO and NO2
NOx Pollution which is one of the most important concerns to the environmentalists through out
the world as well as in the United Kingdom is mainly the contaminated air. In an analysis of No2
and NO from the last 10 years, it has been identified that NO2 concentrations in different urban
centers have got reduced. In the rolling annual average concentrations, in the road side average
NOx concentrations have been analyzed, in which it has been identified that in the year 1996,
almost 70% values have been reached. On the other hand, the value has reached 86% in the year
2001. As per the NOx measure, it has been identified that huge fall in the NOx emission has been
identified from the burning fossil fuel activities. The air is contaminated/polluted by the
combination of different outdoor and indoor particulate matters including the ozone

(Publications.parliament.uk 2020). This NOx Pollution is one of the great risk factors for
different deadly diseases. This list of deadly diseases includes different cardiac or heart disease,
stroke, lung cancer, lower respiratory infections and finally COPD (chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease). All over UK total numbers of 200 networking sites have been developed by
using the chemiluminescence monitoring system. The networking sites are being followed
through The Automatic Urban and Rural Network and funded by the government in UK.
From the last decade, long-term decrease in emissions and consequently in the NOx Pollution
has been observed. In order to analyze the local air quality, The London Air Quality Network
(LAQN) has especially contributed in the quality monitoring process. This is achieved by the
country as UK has consistently meeting different current international benchmarks for pollutant
emissions that are mainly responsible for NOx Pollutions from the time, they introduced in the
year 2010.
In the year 2010, the emissions for nitrogen oxides as the pollutant exceeded the bench mark of
the emissions. In this year UK was allowed in order to apply adjustment to the national total of
the emission which lead to dragging the total emission value under the emissions bench mark.
The adjustments are allowed for the country where non-compliance with the benchmark results
through applying improved methods that are updated in accordance to the scientific knowledge.
Practically all types of y the of NOx Pollution in UK are observed to be declining steadily over
the past few decades according to official data available on the official web sites.

Figure: Trends in the concentrations of NO and NO2
(Source: Gov.uk 2020)
After the benchmarks were set, the use of coal in the domestic heating and power generation
were reduced which played a major factor in the reduction of the emissions of particulate matter.
Even though use of different other solid fuels in domestic heating and industry purpose
contributed in the increased emission in the last few years (Zore, Čuček and Kravanja 2018).
As the country has moved away from use of the coal to the gas in the field of the power
generation, use of the flue gas desulphurization tools to different existing coal powered power
stations is also responsible for the long-term decrease in the emissions of different dioxides. The
concentration of government towards NO2 has changed after the introduction of 212 monitoring
sites. In the measuring process, it has been identified that due to increasing amount of NO2 in the
environment it has become quite challenging to meet the annual average objective. Moreover,
stricter emission regulations throughout the country and for the road transport also contributes to
the significant lesser emissions for nitrogen oxides as well as NMVOC’s (non-methane volatile
organic compounds) (Gov.uk 2020).

How the Nox concentrations are changing in the near future?
Predicting the future NOx concentrations, it has been identified that the No2 model has clearly
shown thee future emissions, which shows the noticeable declination in the emission rate. As per
the prediction of road emissions from the year between 2001 and 2005, it can be said that
especially in case of London, most of the areas are facing major failure while maintaining the
consistency in monitoring process. In case of London, the prediction may exceed from 3% to
13% in the year 2010. Analyzing the road lengths, the NO2 concentrations have been measured.
It is true that in the year 1993, the predicted reductions of the No2 emissions with the actual
report was similar. The emission estimation model, significant changes of the Nox sources have
been identified indicates huge changes in the emission process is needed. In order to meet the Air
quality strategy 2005 as well as the EU limit value, the current national policies in UK are
required to be changed.
Recommendations
It is true that various growth initiatives have been adopted by the UK government while
introducing the prevention plan for controlling the NOx Pollution. As its impact huge changes in
the air quality index has shown the positive results. In this situation continuing the betterment,
people awareness as well as their continuous support is needed. Following the simple steps
people can contribute in better future and long term sustainability program.
 In order to reduce the NOx pollution, fuel nozzle modification process can be applied by
the car manufacturing companies, which can help to reduce the emission from road
traffic.
 In case of reducing the pollution from cooking areas, well ventilated gas stove needs to
be used. It not only can help to avoid the fire accidents, but also it can contribute in

avoiding the harmful emissions. Installing the exhaust gas recirculation, the amount of
NOx pollution can be reduced.
 In case of controlling the road emission, idling can be avoided as idling contains
comparatively high pollution the running exhaust. On the other hand, selective catalytic
reduction can alos be beneficial for this particular process.
Conclusion
In the UK, the NOx Pollution has become an important concern among the people as it has
increased the health disease ratio. The daily Air quality index is showing the decreasing mark
that is creating the advanced worming for human life. In the recent report published in BBC has
mentioned about the deteriorating condition of air quality in UK. In this study, it can be
concluded that in the current scenario, NOx Pollution has brought both the long term impact on
human as well as natural health. In terms of dealing with the situation various initiatives have
been introduced by the UK government that has brought positive impact on the quality index. It
can be said that with the government initiatives, people need to show their interest towards
contributing in improvising the air quality. The proper collaboration between the citizen and
government, the dream of pollution free UK can come true.

Reference list and bibliography
Assets.publishing.service.gov.uk 2020. retrieved from:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/
file/770715/clean-air-strategy-2019.pdf. [Accessed on 19th Feb, 2020]
Aung, N., Sanghvi, M.M., Zemrak, F., Lee, A.M., Cooper, J.A., Paiva, J.M., Thomson, R.J.,
Fung, K., Khanji, M.Y., Lukaschuk, E. and Carapella, V., 2018. Association between ambient air
pollution and cardiac morpho-functional phenotypes: insights from the UK Biobank Population
Imaging Study. Circulation, 138(20), pp.2175-2186.
Bagayev, I. and Lochard, J., 2017. EU air pollution regulation: A breath of fresh air for Eastern
European polluting industries?. Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 83,
pp.145-163.
Bbc.com 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-26851399 [Accessed on 19th
Feb, 2020]
Blf.org.uk 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/your-home-and-your-
lungs/causes/heating-and-cooking [Accessed on 19th Feb, 2020]
Bogush, A.A., Stegemann, J.A., Williams, R. and Wood, I.G., 2018. Element speciation in UK
biomass power plant residues based on composition, mineralogy, microstructure and
leaching. Fuel, 211, pp.712-725.
Bregroup.com 2020. retrieved from:
https://www.bregroup.com/bretrust/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2019/03/Ensuring-Good-IAQ-
in-Buildings-Trust-report_compressed-2.pdf [Accessed on 19th Feb, 2020]

Cai, Y., Hodgson, S., Blangiardo, M., Gulliver, J., Morley, D., Fecht, D., Vienneau, D., de
Hoogh, K., Key, T., Hveem, K. and Elliott, P., 2018. Road traffic noise, air pollution and
incident cardiovascular disease: a joint analysis of the HUNT, EPIC-Oxford and UK Biobank
cohorts. Environment international, 114, pp.191-201.
Cai, Y., Zijlema, W., Doiron, D., de Hoogh, K., Hodgson, S., Wolffenbuttel, B.,
Nieuwenhuijsen, M., Hansell, A. and Kvaloy, K., 2019. Long-term exposure to road traffic
noise, air pollution and adiposity markers: a joint analysis of HUNT3, Lifelines and UK
Biobank. Environmental Epidemiology, 3, p.49.
Chalabi, Z., Milojevic, A., Doherty, R.M., Stevenson, D.S., MacKenzie, I.A., Milner, J., Vieno,
M., Williams, M. and Wilkinson, P., 2017. Applying air pollution modelling within a multi-
criteria decision analysis framework to evaluate UK air quality policies. Atmospheric
environment, 167, pp.466-475.
Eea.europa.eu 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/industry/industrial-
pollution/industrial-pollution-country-profiles-2018/united-kingdom-industrial-pollution-profile-
2018 [Accessed on 19th Feb, 2020]
Ferranti, E.J.S., MacKenzie, A.R., Ashworth, K. and Hewitt, C.N., 2018. First Steps in Air
Quality for Built Environment Practitioners.
GAO, M. and CHEN, L., 2018. Comparison and Enlightenment of Air Pollution Governance
Policy in Industrialized Countries. Journal of North China Electric Power University (Social
Sciences), (3), p.2.
Gov.uk 2020. retrieved from: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/air-quality-and-
emissions-statistics [Accessed on 19th Feb, 2020]

Gov.uk 2020. retrieved from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emissions-of-air-
pollutants/emissions-of-air-pollutants-in-the-uk-1970-to-2018-background [Accessed on 19th
Feb, 2020]
Gov.uk 2020. retrieved from: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/emissions-of-air-
pollutants [Accessed on 19th Feb, 2020]
Huang, J., Pan, X., Guo, X. and Li, G., 2018. Health impact of China's Air Pollution Prevention
and Control Action Plan: an analysis of national air quality monitoring and mortality data. The
Lancet Planetary Health, 2(7), pp.e313-e323.
Ippr.org 2020. retrieved from: https://www.ippr.org/files/publications/pdf/lethal-and-illegal-
solving-londons-air-pollution-crisis-Nov2016.pdf [Accessed on 19th Feb, 2020]
Lam, J.C., Han, Y., Wang, S., Li, V.O., Pollitt, M. and Warde, P., 2019. A comparative study of
air pollution trends in historical London and contemporary Beijing. In In Search of Good Energy
Policy (p. 282). Cambridge University Press.
Linou, N., Beagley, J., Huikuri, S. and Renshaw, N., 2018. Air pollution moves up the global
health agenda.
London.gov.uk 2020. retrieved from:
https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/hiainlondon_kingsreport_14072015_final.pdf
[Accessed on 19th Feb, 2020]
Londoncouncils.gov.uk 2020. retrieved from:
https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Policy%20themes/Environment/

Demystifying%20air%20pollution%20in%20London%20FINAL%20FULL
%20REPORT_IM_0.pdf [Accessed on 19th Feb, 2020]
Lott, M.C., Pye, S. and Dodds, P.E., 2017. Quantifying the co-impacts of energy sector
decarbonisation on outdoor air pollution in the United Kingdom. Energy Policy, 101, pp.42-51.
Policyconnect.org.uk 2020. retrieved from:
https://www.policyconnect.org.uk/sites/site_pc/files/report/1071/fieldreportdownload/
aphgairpollutionandhealthfinal.pdf [Accessed on 19th Feb, 2020]
Publications.parliament.uk 2020. retrieved from:
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmenvfru/433/433.pdf [Accessed on
19th Feb, 2020]
Ragheb, A., El-Shimy, H. and Ragheb, G., 2016. Green architecture: A concept of
sustainability. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 216(10.1016).
Samoli, E., Atkinson, R.W., Analitis, A., Fuller, G.W., Green, D.C., Mudway, I., Anderson, H.R.
and Kelly, F.J., 2016. Associations of short-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution with
cardiovascular and respiratory hospital admissions in London, UK. Occupational and
environmental medicine, 73(5), pp.300-307.
Smith, A., 2018. Integrated Pollution Control: change and continuity in the UK industrial
pollution policy network. Routledge.
Smith, A., 2018. Integrated Pollution Control: change and continuity in the UK industrial
pollution policy network. Routledge.

Theguardian.com 2020. Retrieved from:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/nov/24/industrial-pollution-costs-uk-billions
[Accessed on 19th Feb, 2020]
Uk-air.defra.gov.uk 2020. Retrieved from: https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/air-pollution/ [Accessed on
19th Feb, 2020]
Uk-air.defra.gov.uk 2020. Retrieved from:
https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/assets/documents/reports/cat14/1406191156_060618_Guide_to_UK_
Air_Pollution_Information_Resources-issue_2-FINAL.pdf [Accessed on 19th Feb, 2020]
Vieno, M., Heal, M.R., Twigg, M.M., MacKenzie, I.A., Braban, C.F., Lingard, J.J.N., Ritchie,
S., Beck, R.C., Móring, A., Ots, R. and Di Marco, C.F., 2016. The UK particulate matter air
pollution episode of March–April 2014: more than Saharan dust. Environmental Research
Letters, 11(4), p.044004.
Zore, Ž., Čuček, L. and Kravanja, Z., 2018. Synthesis of sustainable production systems using an
upgraded concept of sustainability profit and circularity. Journal of cleaner production, 201,
pp.1138-1154.