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Frequently Asked Questions

• » What Air quality monitoring does Surrey Heath Borough Council do?
• » What leads to poor air quality?

  In both developed and rapidly industrialising countries, the major historic air pollution problem has typically been high levels of smoke and sulphur dioxide arising from the combustion of sulphur-containing fossil fuels such as coal for domestic and industrial purpose. The major threat to clean air is now posed by traffic emissions.
  
  Petrol and diesel-engined motor vehicles emit a wide variety of pollutants, principally carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulates (PM10), which have an increasing impact on urban air quality. In addition, photochemical reactions resulting from the action of sunlight on nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and VOCs from vehicles leads to the formation of ozone, a secondary long-range pollutant, which impacts in rural areas often far from the original emission site. Acid rain is another long-range pollutant influenced by vehicle NOx emissions.

• » What are the effects of poor air quality?
• » Is poor air quality harmful to health?
• » Is It Harmful to Me?
• » Can I do anything?
• » What is the current level of air pollution in Surrey Heath and how can I find out more about air quality and pollution levels in the UK?