Carmarthenshire County Council has launched an air quality monitoring exercise to help manage and improve air quality.
Initially focussing on areas around four schools within or close to the three Air Quality Management areas of Llanelli, Llandeilo and Carmarthen, the project will enable the Council to assess air quality surrounding Ysgol Llandeilo, Ysgol Teilo Sant Llandeilo, Ysgol Ffwrnes Llanelli and Ysgol Parc Waun Dew (Richmond Park) Carmarthen.
The six-month project includes using monitors to provide real time data on pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and particulates. The monitors will also help to determine any improvements made over a period of time.
Air quality monitors have been secured via a successful funding bid from the Local Air Quality Management Support Fund 2023 – 2024.
Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability said: “Air quality in Carmarthenshire is generally good and our monitoring data shows we meet all current UK air quality objectives for particulate matter. However, as with many busy towns and cities, there are some areas close to busy roads where levels of nitrogen dioxide are sometimes elevated and it is important to ensure we all do what we can with the challenges we face in terms of air quality and the impact it can have on the health of residents.
“This project will help to raise awareness of the importance of air quality with younger residents, as well as encouraging schools, parents and the wider community to consider what behaviours can contribute towards good air quality in and around schools.”
For more information on air quality projects in Carmarthenshire please e-mail[email protected].
More information on Air Quality Management areas can be found athttps://airquality.gov.wales/
