The major threat to clean air is posed by pollutants found in traffic emissions, which are worsening world-wide. Petrol and diesel-engined motor vehicles emit a wide variety of pollutants, principally carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), particulates (PM10) and as a secondary pollutant, ozone. These pollutants impact on the immediate vicinity as well as traveling long distances causing wider impacts.

A variety of air pollutants have known or suspected harmful effects on human health and the environment, including causing and exacerbating asthmatic and heart conditions and lowering resistance to respiratory infections.

Have a look at Your Runnymede to see what you can do to improve the air quality in the Borough.

Runnymede objectives and indicators

Runnymede's sustainability objective is to ensure acceptably low levels of pollution.

Runnymede has designated an Air Quality Management Area in the Borough. It is 144 hectares, and forms a buffer around the M25 as shown in Map 2.2.

Related Organisations

The National Air Quality information archive is an excellent source of further information on air quality issues.

The Air Pollution Information service provides detailed information on pollutants by their type, impact, and legislation information.