The Bigger Picture

Air Quality is one of the 15 headline indicators of sustainable development for the UK.

It is monitored annually with the objective of achieving a reduction in air pollution and ensuring that air quality continues to improve through the longer term.

The national indicator measures days when air pollution is moderate or higher. 

Air Quality in the UK is also monitored at a local level. To find out about the levels of air pollution in your area, visit The UK National Air Quality Information Archive.

Air pollution at the global level

At a global level, air pollution can have an adverse effect on the health of entire ecosystems (such as a woodland containing all the plants and animals and the natural cycles on which it depends), as well as being linked to causing Acid Rain and Climate Change.

For further information, visit The Encyclopedia of the Atmospheric Environment (a fun introduction to the issues of air quality for children and adults)

and

The UK Department of Health website.

All of these sites are packed with up to date information, allowing you to get hold of accurate information on air quality issues from the local to the global level.