How good is air quality in Greater Manchester?
Air pollution causes asthma, other respiratory problems, and premature deaths. People who are already in poor health, or live in poorer areas, are usually worst affected. Local councils are required by law to measure their air quality, and predict what it will be like in the future. If pollution is predicted to be above Government target levels for a range of pollutants, the local council must declare an ‘Air Quality Management Area’ and produce an ‘Air Quality Management Plan’. The decline of heavy industry and the greater regulation of remaining factories has reduced industrial air pollution. Road traffic is now the major air pollutant, and one which is estimated to lead to several hundred premature deaths in Greater Manchester each year. The main pollutants are Particulate (small particles of carbon also known as ‘Black Smoke’), and Nitrogen Dioxide (a colourless gas). Buses are significant producers of these in some parts of Greater Manchester. The main culprits are heavy goods veh
