Background maps have been provided to assist Scottish local authorities in support of the Review and Assessment of local air quality. These provide background concentrations of NOx, NO2, and PM10. Modelled background mass concentrations of each pollutant can be downloaded for each 1 km x 1 km grid square in Scotland in the form of comma separated (CSV) files. Co-ordinates are given for the centre of each 1 km x 1 km grid square.
2018 background concentrations are provided for each 1 km x 1 km grid square and for each local authority area. Projected background concentrations have been calculated for 2018 to 2030 from a base year of 2018. A separate CSV file is available for each Local Authority area, pollutant, and year from 2018 to 2030.
Please note: The available projections from 2018 are based on assumptions that were applicable prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, and as such, do not reflect short- or long-term impacts on emissions of the pandemic and associated lockdowns in 2020 and beyond.
The CSV file format maps for NOx and PM10 show the total background concentration and the contribution from individual emission sectors. The CSV file format maps for NO2 show the total background concentration only. This information will enable the individual emission sectors to be subtracted from the total when detailed local modelling of that sector is carried out. For example, the contribution from major roads included within a modelling assessment can be removed from the total background concentration which will help avoid double counting. Please note, where sector removal for NOx is undertaken it is also necessary to adjust the NO2 background concentration. Find out more information on the Defra LAQM webpages.
Scotland specific maps are not currently available for PM2.5. The Scottish Government advise that for this pollutant, Defra UK wide background maps from a base year of 2018 are used in the review and assessment of local air quality.
Use the drop-down selectors to choose the local authority, pollutant, and year you require. The datasets for the whole of Scotland can be downloaded by selecting "Scotland" from the Local Authority selector. The maps downloaded here are based on Great Britain Ordnance Survey (OSGB) co-ordinates.