Particulate Matter

As monitoring had indicated some exceedences for particulate matter of less than ten microns (>10µm) (known as PM₁₀) in the Bayston Hill area, a more detailed study was undertaken of the area. The area suffers from occasional exceedences due to its location in the vacinity of two major sources of PM10 - the main A49 road and the quarry.

The monitoring uses state of the art Rupprecht and Patashnict Series 1400a
Ambient Particulate Monitor technology. This provides highly accurate real time data, which has been analysed by consultants from Casella-Stanger. 

This monitoring found that the number of exceedences of the 24hr mean during 2004 was grealy reduced as compared to previous years. This together with the improvements to the quarry plant and general process area during 2004 and the general lack of complaints regarding dust emissions since May 2003 suggests that the number of yearly exceedences of the 24 hour mean level of 50 µg/m3 is unlikely to breach the Government Objective of 35 permitted occurrences each year, by the year 2005.

On the basis of this prediction, it is not currently necessary for SABC to declare an Air Quality Management Area for the pollutant PM10 at Bayston Hill. However, SABC will continue to monitor a range of pollutants at this location for the foreseeable future and will strictly enforce compliance with a range of Permit conditions designed to minimise direct and fugitive particulate emissions from the quarry.

Part of Bayston Hill will still need to remain a designated Air Quality Management Area because of levels of the pollutant NO2, which is associated with the high levels of road traffic in the area.

Further review and assessment of air quality will be undertaken in accordance with the timetable required by DEFRA's Statutory LAQM Guidance to Local Authorities, including the production of Progress Reports. Any necessary actions as a consequence of this future work will be taken when required.

A full copy of the report into PM10 in the Bayston Hill area can be accessed by clicking on the icon below.

(word format, 156kb)