[Skip to content]

.

Air Quality Monitoring

In both developed and rapidly industrialising countries, the major historic air pollution problem has typically been high levels of smoke and sulphur dioixide arising from the combustion of sulphur-containing fossil fuels such as coal for domestic and industrial purpose.

The major threat to clean air is now posed by traffic emissions. Petrol and diesel-engined motor vehicles emit a wide variety of pollutants, principally carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulates (PM10), which have an increasing impact on urban air quality.

Brierley Hill Rose Air Quality Monitoring Station

Monitoring Stations

There are currently four monitoring stations located within Dudley Borough which are used for monitoring a range of pollutants including nitrogen dioxide, fine particulates and ozone. Additional weather monitoring stations are also located in Dudley at Ednam Road and Illey.

The most recent monitoring results from Dudley and the other West Midlands Local Authorities may be viewed and downloaded from the joint West Midlands website (WMAIR.org).

Daily Air Quality Report

As part of its duty to monitor the quality of the air in Dudley Metropolitan Borough, the council continuously monitors, and records as 15 minute averages, the levels of a range of common pollutants at its automatic monitoring stations.

:: more on Daily Air Quality Report

Diffusion tubes

The Council uses Diffusion Tubes in order to measure levels of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) within the area.  These are small plastic tubes which contain a chemical which reacts with NO2 present in the air.  The tubes are changed each month and analysed. 

 :: more on Diffusion Tubes

Online Interactive Diffusion Tube Map

An interactive map showing Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Diffusion Tubes diffusion tube locations and annual mean nitrogen dioxide concentrations is now available for you to view online.

The map is an interactive geographical information system which allows you to view and inspect map-based information for the Dudley area. Tools are provided to allow you to zoom and pan around the map, and ‘point and click’ to view information about features on the map.

Schools Diffusion Tube Programme

A number of schools in the borough are hosts to diffusion tubes. Children at the host schools are invited to participate in the tube changing process and the tubes are sent away for testing by an external laboratory. Results are made available for incorporation into science and environmental lessons to help raise awareness of any pollution problems and the actions we can take to improve air quality.  

:: more on Schools Diffusion Tube Programme