Air pollution is a complex mix of particles and gases of both human origin (such as transportation, farming and industrial processes) and natural (like fires, volcanoes and wind-blown dust). Over the past 30-40 years we have seen significant improvements in air quality across Scotland, driven by tighter controls on emissions, particularly in the transport and industry sectors. However, outdoor air pollution remains one of the largest environmental risks to public health. In the UK, between 29,000 and 43,000 deaths <(1,800 to 2,700 for Scotland) each year are attributed to long-term exposure (based on 2019 data) to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
For more information about the health risks posed by outdoor air pollution, please refer to the ‘Daily Air Quality Index’ page on this site. NHS Inform and the Public Health Scotland webpages also have information on the health impacts of outdoor air pollution.
Air pollution not only affects human health but also has significant impacts on the environment. For further specialist information on pollutants and their impacts on habitats and species, please refer to the UK Air Pollution Information System (APIS).
Using this Website
This website provides access to all the data generated by the Scottish Automatic air quality monitoring network along with other useful air pollution information. This includes;
- Near real time data can be accessed via the “Latest & Forecast” page. You can select individual sites and get the most recent data as well as access to historic data via the latest pollution map. Simple analysis and historic statistics can also be found here amongst other meta data. Network summaries are also provided with additional analysis.
- Data can be downloaded manually via the data selector facility and a suite of Openair analysis tools is also provide to analyse the data. Interactive Annual statistics reports are also provided using R. programming language additional to automatic monitoring data.
- Access to Scotland’s Passive NO2 diffusion tube monitoring network data is provided via an Latest pollution map.
- Other monitoring network data can also be found via the Latest pollution map enabling users to access all air pollution monitoring carried out in Scotland.
- Air pollution forecasts are provided for up to 5 days via the home page and forecast pages and automated notifications can be set up to inform you when air pollution is to be elevated.
- Mapped concentrations of NOx and PM are also provide allowing the user to see what concentrations in areas other than the monitoring sites themselves. In addition, forward projection maps are also provided up to the year 2040 to assist placemaking and future development policy.
- Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) information and data is provided to assist local authority reporting and also inform the general public. This including; air Quality Management Area and Smoke Control Area information, LAQM analysis tools, Library of Historic report, and LAQM Manuals and Guidance’s.
- News and Technical reports are provided along with information regarding previous Scottish Air Quality annual seminars.
- Education pages provides air quality education resources for children of primary and secondary ages.
- Information on where to find information on Scotland’s Low Emission Zones (LEZ) can also be found.