AQW 8445/17-22


Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim


Tabled Date: 08/10/2020
Answered On Date: 22/10/2020
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (i) what assessment he has made of changes in the level of air pollution during lockdown restrictions due to the COVID-19 outbreak; and (ii) what steps he is taking to reduce air pollution.


Answer:
My Department continually monitors air quality across Northern Ireland. This includes monitoring pollutants such as particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide. Sources of nitrogen dioxide include domestic and industrial combustion and road transport. Particulate matter is formed from domestic wood and coal burning and industrial combustion.
During the first few months of lockdown, levels of nitrogen dioxide were lower than in previous years. However, this is thought, at least in part, to be a result of weather conditions in 2020. More recently, levels of nitrogen dioxide have begun to return to post lockdown trends.
Particulate matter has shown more variability than nitrogen dioxide. At times, levels of particulate matter in 2020 have remained above the five year average for a sustained period. For example, on the 9 April my Department issued an air pollution alert for the following day, due to high levels of particulate matter being forecast.
You ask about the action that I am taking to reduce air pollution in Northern Ireland.
My Department financially supports district councils in monitoring air quality through the Local Air Quality Management Grant. This year additional funds have been made available to upgrade existing monitors and support a variety of projects relating to air quality. Funding is also provided to Sustrans, the active travel charity to promote behavioural change and encourage walking and cycling.
The data from the monitoring stations is publically available on the Air Quality NI website (www.airqualityni.co.uk/) which was redesigned earlier in the year. A page specifically for children has been added. The data from the website is used in the first Air Quality App for Northern Ireland, which I launched on 7 May 2020. I would encourage everyone to download the new Northern Ireland Air App in order to receive the most up-to-date information on the quality of air across the province.
In addition to the App, my Department has been working on developing a Clean Air Strategy Discussion Document. Work has involved close collaboration with other Departments, in particular the Department for Infrastructure. The Discussion Document has been finalised and will be launched shortly for public consultation. The consultation will invite views on a range of matters relating to air quality and will be an opportunity for stakeholders to put ideas and suggestions to my Department. I welcome full engagement in this process.