Defra National Statistics cover UK emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) and ammonia (NH₃).

Statistical release: Emissions of air pollutants in the UK, 1970-2010

 These four pollutants are primarily responsible for:

•  acidification (SO₂, NO_x and NH₃) – where chemical reactions involving air pollutants create acidic compounds which can cause harm to vegetation and buildings (including as acid-rain);
• eutrophication (NO_x and NH₃) – where the nitrogen can be deposited in soils or in rivers and lakes through rain and affects the nutrient levels and diversity of species in sensitive environments, for example encouraging algae growth in lakes and water courses.
• ground-level ozone (NO_x and NMVOCs) – where  chemical reactions involving air pollutants create the toxic gas ozone (O₃) which can affect people’s health and can damage wild plants, crops, forests and some materials.

 All four pollutants can also react in the atmosphere to form secondary particulate matter (PM).  PM emissions can adversely impact human health, with chronic exposure to PM contributing to the risk of developing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

 There are two main international agreements on air pollution emissions, both of which have 2010 as the target year:

The National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD) – sets ceilings for each EU Member State for emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), and ammonia.

The Gothenburg Protocol under the Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) -  sets similar or identical UK emissions ceilings for the same pollutants.

EMISSIONS OF AIR POLLUTANTS IN THE UK, 1970 TO 2010

• The UK has met current international targets to reduce total emissions by 2010 of four air pollutants that cause harm to people’s health and to the natural environment.
• Emissions of sulphur dioxide have fallen by 89 per cent between 1990 and 2010, but increased by 2 per cent between 2009 and 2010.  Emissions in 2010 were 31 per cent below the lowest international target for the UK.
•  Emissions of nitrogen oxides have fallen by 62 per cent between 1990 and 2010, and fell by 3 per cent between 2009 and 2010.  Emissions in 2010 were 5 per cent below the lowest international target for the UK.
• Emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds have fallen by 71 per cent between 1990 and 2010, and fell by 4 per cent between 2009 and 2010. Emissions in 2010 were 34 per cent below the international target for the UK.
• Emissions of ammonia have fallen by 21 per cent between 1990 and 2010, but increased by 0.5 per cent between 2009 and 2010.  Emissions in 2010 were 4 per cent below the international target for the UK

Pre-release announcement of methodological changes for air pollutant emissions.doc

Downloads

15 December 2011

• Statistical Release – Emissions of air pollutants in the UK – 1970-2010 UK (pdf, 275 KB)