Air pollution causes heart and lung disease and results in over 36,000 people in the UK dying each year.
The area between R16 and Ongar Road is an Air Quality Management Area; one of just 3 in the Borough. This means it has amongst the worst air quality in the Borough. If developed, R16 would more than double the size of this AQMA unless exceptional mitigating measures were put in place.
The Brentwood Council officer responsible for overseeing this is David Carter from the Environmental Health & Enforcement department. His email address is david.carter@brentwood.gov.uk.
Their latest survey report on the 3 remaining AQMAs in the Brentwood Area found no targets were exceeded; these AQMAs were originally declared in 2007 due to high levels of NO2. The latest report advised that no limits were exceeded. It is notable, though, that the report was based on survey work undertaken in 2020 whilst we were in Lockdowns and air quality generally improved as traffic levels were virtually non-existent. (nB – this point is conceded in their summary).
One of the more dangerous Air Quality issues is Particulate Matter, PM25 in particular. PM25 …
…has a significant impact on human health, including premature mortality, allergic reaction and cardiovascular diseases”
Brentwood Borough Council Air Quality Report 2021
Brentwood Borough Council does not measure PM25 .
Air pollution has recently been officially acknowledged as a contributory factor in deaths from asthma, notably that of Ella Kissi-Debrah which has prompted a bill being presented to parliament.
You can read the full Air Quality report below:
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Further reading
You might be interested in a Clean Air Consultation by Mums for Lungs – find out more about it here.
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