Air quality in Solihull

In this section:

How are we monitoring air quality in Solihull?

Generally, Solihull has good levels of air quality by national standards. The council carry out monitoring across the borough to measure pollutants of concern. These include:

  • Nitrogen Dioxide NO2
    There are currently around 30 passive diffusion tube monitoring sites around Solihull to monitor NO2. Each year results are presented in the Annual Status report. We review results to ensure that sensitive receptors (e.g. homes and schools) achieve national air quality standards. While we have not had to declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), the Council continues to concentrate on this pollutant in our Air Quality Strategy and its associated Action Plan.
  • PM2.5
    The council review the public health outcomes framework with regard to PM2.5 and inform Defra of average mortality rates in Solihull linked to this pollutant. We currently have a higher-than-average mortality rate (than for the West Midlands and England) and are investigating why this might be.
    The council are working with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to deliver low-cost sensors across the borough. Sensors will monitor a number of pollutants, including PM2.5 . The monitors will provide information (in real-time) on particulate matter concentrations in areas that are being investigated. Our Air Quality Strategy and its associated Action Plan also focusses on PM2.5 pollution.

How can I reduce my own emissions?

You can take a range of actions to reduce your own emissions. A good place to start in reducing  a your own emissions is to look at how you shop, travel, cook, heat, and use your home. If you wanted to reduce your emissions some of the questions you could ask yourself are:

  • Could I be more open to walking or cycling, particularly for trips that are close by? Could I try substituting one or more journeys to school, work, or to the local shopping centre? Do I get enough fresh air and exercise and could I combine my desire to get healthier with reducing my car or vehicle use.
  • Do I want to fit a wood burning stove or have an open fire and produce pollution both inside and outside my home? Research shows such units produce indoor pollution for your family and we already know smoke from chimneys can cause serious disturbance to neighbours. Would a cleaner fuel be better for me and my family? While some people may think  a wood stove or fire would look nice, have they considered the full cost of this?  Would an artificial flame type unit help produce the same atmosphere, be better for everyone’s health, and cheaper in the long run?
    If I already have a solid fuel burner (or an open fire) do I limit its use (if I have access to other heating like central heating).? Do I ensure I burn the correct type of fuel in the right way?
  • Do I use public transport enough, could I combine this with a walk, and make the journey a healthier one?
  • Do I have garden bonfires? If so, am I producing smoke that my family and neighbours might not like, or might be affected by (for example if someone in my street, even a few doors down, has put their clean washing out to dry)? Can I justify the impact this will have on others or could I recycle this waste at home or take it to a free licenced waste facility for disposal?
  • Do I think about the way I drive my car? Could my next car be cleaner and avoid burning fossil fuels?
    Do I limit the amount of time I keep my engine running when my car is stationary (vehicle idling) - this reduces exposure for all.
    Could I avoid using my car for short journeys, or use it at a different time (or in a different way), so as to avoid adding to congestion and queuing in traffic?

How can I protect myself from pollution?

There are all sorts of things you can do to reduce your exposure to pollutants. These include:

  1. Think about all the chemicals, sprays, air fresheners, candles and cleaning products that you use in your home. Do some research and choose products that are better for you, your family and the environment.
  2. Think about how you cook food in your home. Avoid producing smoke or fumes when you cook (indoor air quality can be severely impacted by cooking with fossil fuels or producing smoke from for example frying food). Open windows when you cook to vent your kitchen, especially if the whole family use this room regularly.
  3. Try not to exercise close to sources of pollution or near to vehicles with their running engines, and if you can, avoid exercising along roads that you know suffer from traffic queuing and congestion. If it is safe, to do so chose a quieter path and avoid rush hour as this is when pollution levels tend to be at their highest.
  4. You can check pollution levels in the UK via the UK AIR government website ( interactive map - UK Air Pollution Forecast for up to 5 days ahead). You will also be able to look at local levels of air pollution when Solihull’s sensor network is up and running. This may help you avoid areas where levels of pollutants are elevated.

Where can I find out more about air quality?

More information about air quality is available on other websites.

These include: