Suffolk Air Quality

Air pollution

Air pollution is the term used to describe lots of different types of pollution in the air around us including particles, gases and chemicals.

Below are the 4 most damaging pollutants found in the UK air:

• Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) is produced by burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, gas or diesel. The majority of the nitrogen dioxide in our air is caused by transport, so - cars, trucks, buses, rail and shipping.
• Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) is an acidic gas produced from burning coal or crude oil. The greatest sources of SO2 in the air are caused by generating energy, and industrial and domestic burning.
• Ammonia (NH3) is a gas that is released into the atmosphere mostly from agricultural sources like slurry, farm waste and fertilisers.
• Particulate matter (PM or PM 2.5) – is made up of little bits of material, which can be from all sorts of places including smoke from fires, exhaust fumes, smoking or the dust from brake pads on cars. It can also come from natural sources like pollen, sea spray and desert dust. These particles are smaller than the width of a human hair (and PM2.5 is four times smaller even than PM10: the numbers refer to particles up to 10 or 2.5 micrometres in width) and we can breathe them in without noticing.

The term ‘air quality’ means how polluted the air we breathe is (UK Government, 2019), and includes both the air indoors and the air outdoors. To find out what the air quality is like in Suffolk, please see information about Air Quality below. 

Monitoring

Air quality in Suffolk is monitored through a network of diffusion tubes, which are small plastic test tubes that contain a material that reacts with the air. Diffusion tubes passively monitor the air for approximately a month before being sent to an independent laboratory for analysis.

Most of the poor air quality in Suffolk is caused by traffic congestion on busy roads, but burning at home, farming and industry also contribute.

More information on air quality in Suffolk, how it can be reduced and how to protect your heath from air pollution can be found by following the links to the relevant sections of this website.

The daily air quality index (DAQI) tells you about the levels of air pollution in your local area. It is like the weather forecast but for air quality. The air quality index allows you to plan ahead and take recommended actions to protect the health of you and your loved ones.

Air quality across most of Suffolk is reasonably good.

However, there are 8 Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA’s) where pollution levels (Nitrogen Dioxide specifically) exceed Government guidelines.

There are 4 AQMA’s in Ipswich, 1 in Sudbury, 1 in Great Barton, 1 in Bury St Edmunds, and 1 in Stratford St Andrew.

Approximately 747 Suffolk residents live within an Air Quality Management Area, 613 of these are in Ipswich. There are however thousands more people living, working or studying by busy congested roads that are exposed to air pollution every day.

There is no safe level of exposure to air pollution – both long-term exposure (over years) and short-term exposure (over hours) to low levels of air pollution can still impact on our health.

This is why it is important that Suffolk County Council works closely with partners to address poor air quality to reduce the health risks. Find out more about this in the Suffolk Air Quality Strategy

When we breathe polluted air we breathe in a mix of gases and particles. These particles can stick in our throat and our lungs. Smaller particles can pass into our blood and be transported around the body into many different organs.

Scientists are still discovering ways in which polluted air affects our health – but a number of health effects are already clear. Research has shown that air pollution can:

• Cause or worsen a range of lung and heart conditions including: asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic heart disease (CHD), and stroke.
• Cause low birth weight and hinder development of lung function in children.
• Damage the inside walls of your blood vessels, causing them to become narrower and harder.
• Restrict the movement of your blood vessels, which can increase your blood pressure and add to the strain on your heart.
• Affect the normal electrical functioning of your heart which could cause abnormal heart rhythms
• Over the longer term, exposure to air pollution can increase the risk of lung cancer.

It’s estimated that long-term exposure to poor air quality is responsible for up to 36,000 deaths per year in the UK. The majority of UK deaths attributable to outdoor air pollution are from heart disease and stroke.

Air pollution is bad for our health and for the environment around us.

It also causes climate change. The same burning engines which produce carbon that heats our atmosphere also create particulates in the air which cause air pollution and affect our health.

This makes our efforts to tackle air pollution even more important because, if we tackle air pollution, we'll also be tackling some of the causes of climate change.

Reducing air pollution from transport is a goal within the Suffolk’s Climate Emergency Plan – a strategy that sets out Suffolk’s ambition to achieve net zero by 2030, and agreed by all Suffolk’s local authorities.

Air pollution affects us all and has been linked to up to 36,000 deaths per year in the UK.

There are simple things we can all do to help make the air we breathe cleaner and healthier:

Use the car less

The more petrol and diesel cars on the road, the more air pollution is produced. You can help to reduce this by using the car less. Not only will you save money on fuel but you'll be helping to reduce air pollution and it's better for your health and the environment.

Walk, cycle or scoot short journeys

On average 7% of all vehicle journeys are 1 mile and under in length, which for many people can be walked, wheeled or cycled in under 20 minutes. If every car journey in Suffolk of less than 1 mile was undertaken by foot/wheels it would result in over 15 million fewer car journeys per year, or 40,000 car journeys per day. The benefits of walking, wheeling or scooting that 1 mile are huge: cleaner healthier air and improved fitness, mental health and wellbeing.

Use public transport when you can

For those longer journeys, could you use public transport? It helps to reduce congestion on the roads and is usually cheaper (and sometimes quicker) than going by car. You can also spend quality ‘you time’ talking to friends, listening to a podcast or reading a book instead of being behind the wheel. Plan your journey with The Way To Go Suffolk.

Think about car sharing

Car sharing with colleagues, friends or family can be a great way of getting from A to B. Not only will this help to reduce the number of cars on the road, but it's a great way to save money and a sociable way to get to your destination. Visit Suffolk Lift Share for more information.

Turn your engine off when you're stopped in traffic or stationary

Leaving the engine running when the car isn't moving (idling) releases unnecessary harmful pollutants into the air. It also wastes fuel. Research has also found that pollution levels inside an idling vehicle can be up to 7 times higher than the air outside. Save money and protect your health by turning off your engine when you're stuck in traffic or stationary – particularly outside schools.

Reduce the amount of coal or wood you burn in your home

Use alternative heating sources such as electric or gas heaters and radiators. This is much better for your health and air quality.

Wood burning devices such as open fires or stoves produce more particulate matter pollution than vehicles, according to recent studies.

If you need to burn, opt for seasoned ‘Ready to Burn’ wood and smokeless fuels.

Outside the home

Choose to travel on quieter routes

Taking a quieter route and avoiding busy main roads will help to reduce your exposure to air pollutants, whether you're in a vehicle or on foot. Walking or scooting as far away from the main road as possible will help. Go Jauntly is a free Walking App that enables you to select Green Routes for your journey taking you away from polluted roads. You can also find maps and route suggestions on the Discover Suffolk webpages and app.

Avoid travelling at busy times of day

Avoid travelling during rush hours and heavily congested times to avoid exposure inside or outside of a car. If you can, delay or start your journey earlier to reduce your exposure.

Travelling outside of rush hours should also make a quicker, easier and more pleasant journey.

Avoid congested hot spots

If you're inside a car or travelling on foot, wheels or bike – avoid busy congested hotspots as these areas will contain higher concentrations of air pollution.

Inside the home

Ventilation

Air pollution can come from everyday activities such as cooking, cleaning and showering. It can build up over time inside your home. Opening windows can help with air pollution by allowing indoor pollutants to escape.

If you live close to a busy road, open windows at the back of the house to avoid pollutants coming in from outside.

Open windows a few times a day to refresh the air in your rooms, especially when cooking or showering.

Avoid opening windows during peak times, for example, rush hour as air pollution levels will be higher outside.

Avoid unnecessary burning

Avoid unnecessary burning at home (e.g. in a stove or open fire) unless it is your only source of heat. If you rely on wood for your heating, use 'ready to burn' materials (e.g. dry wood or approved manufactured solid fuels), and try to ensure that your appliance is eco-design accredited.

Choose natural cleaning products as opposed to those packed with chemicals

Air fresheners, cleaning sprays (like stain removers, disinfectants, glass cleaners, grease removers), paints and perfumes can contain harmful chemicals that contribute to indoor air pollution. Using products that contain more natural or plant-based ingredients (and no chemicals) will help to reduce your exposure.

Have more plants in the home

Plants help clean the air around them by consuming carbon dioxide (CO2). This has a relatively small impact on indoor air quality, but every small action helps.

Check the air pollution in your area

The daily air quality index (DAQI) tells you about the levels of air pollution in your local area. It is like the weather forecast but for air quality. The air quality index allows you to plan ahead and take recommended actions to protect the health of you and your loved ones.

Air Quality Profile

In 2020, SCC worked with borough and district councils to develop the Suffolk Air Quality Profile, published in 2021, with the aim of increasing local knowledge, identifying areas of concern and making recommendations on what could be done to mitigate the impact of poor air quality. This led to the Suffolk Health and Wellbeing Board making air quality a priority.

The recommendations from the Suffolk Profile have informed both the development of a Suffolk wide Air Quality Strategy and the Suffolk Community Engagement Plan:

Suffolk Idling Action

The Suffolk Idling Action Campaign encourages drivers to switch off their engines when parked, especially outside schools, to stop unnecessary harmful pollutants going into the air.

Idling engines, where a car is stationery with its engine on, cause peaks in harmful pollutants which when breathed in overtime can lead to asthma, heart disease, cancer and stunt children’s growing lungs.

Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of pollution because their height puts them closer to exhaust fumes, they breathe more rapidly than adults and so absorb more pollutants and because their developing organs are more easily damaged^. Research shows that idling engines produce up to twice the amount of exhaust emissions compared to when a vehicle is moving.

The campaign was updated and relaunched in March 2024 and includes a range of materials which are available free of charge to Suffolk residents, schools, businesses and community groups to use, including:

• Myths and facts postcards
• School Leaflet
• Idling Count Monitoring Sheet
• Car stickers
• Posters (A4 and A3 available)
• Outdoor banner
• Social media infographics
• PowerPoint template
• Website banner

To request materials, email: ph.widerdeterminants@suffolk.gov.uk.

In October 2022 338 local people gave us their views about air pollution in Suffolk covering a range of topics from health and burning at home through to travel and air quality alerts.

Here is what you told us and how we will use it to shape our work going forward:

Pollution and our health

Fact: Air pollution plays a role in many of the major health challenges of our day, and has been linked to cancer, asthma, stroke and heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and changes linked to dementia¹.

Feedback: 30% of respondents said that air pollution affected their general health and well-being. 21% said it affected their asthma. 29% of people however said their health wasn’t affected by pollution.

Action: Our aim is to work with partners to reduce pollution across Suffolk so that everyone has cleaner air to breathe. Over the next 12 months we will raising awareness of the health impacts of pollutions and the action individuals can take to help lower pollution across the County. We will also be working closely with those groups most vulnerable to the effects of pollution on reducing their exposure to help protect their health.

Home burning

Fact: Burning at home is a major cause of a type of pollution called fine particulate matter (PM2.5). PM2.5, which is present in smoke, has been identified by the World Health Organisation as the most serious air pollutant for human health as it can cause damage to your lungs and other organs².

Feedback: In the survey 28% of respondents said private vehicles were a main source of pollution but only 8% identified home burning as a source of pollution. 57% of respondents said they would consider not burning at home.

Action: Over the next 12 months Suffolk County Council will work to raise awareness of domestic burning as an important source of air pollution. We will work with local people to identify ways to encourage people to burn cleaner smokeless fuels and to not burn at all where possible.

Idling

Fact: Research by Kings College London has shown that small easy changes to driving habits, such as switching the engine off whilst stationary, can cut pollution by up to 30% and the effects are immediate.

Feedback: 35% of respondents never or rarely switch their engines off when stationary, however 77% said it was something they would consider doing.

Action: Future work will include understanding the current barriers to this and how we can encourage the public to do so. This will include reviewing the Idling Action Suffolk campaign materials and updating them in partnership with the community.

Alert Service

Fact: Alerts are an important tool for helping people with lung conditions to manage their symptoms on days when air pollution is high. Asthma and Lung UK in their Alerting the Nation report found 80% of people with lung conditions said they didn’t use the government’s air pollution alerts.

Feedback: 61% of survey respondents said they would consider signing up for an alert service to let them know when pollution levels are high.

Action: We will work with target groups to understand what features of an alert service they might find helpful and review evidence and best practice to identify potential solutions.

Vehicle Use

Fact: Around 49% of trips in towns and cities under 5 miles were made by car in 2021, with around a quarter of all car trips in England less than 2 miles.

Feedback: 31% of respondents said they drive through Ipswich several times a week and 13% daily. Shopping (23%) and work (21%) were the most common reasons given.

50% of responders said that they currently cycle once a month or less. However, 81% of respondents reported that they would consider cycling or walking short journeys more often.

Action: Future public engagement work will include understanding the reasons for making these journeys by car, and what the barriers to swapping these journeys to walking or cycling might be. In addition, through the SCC Air Quality Strategy, we will work with our partners to look at ways to incentivise swapping car journeys for walking or cycling.

Support for change

Feedback: Introducing a low emission zone was the most supported scheme (54%), followed by more segregated cycle lanes (53%), reducing road speeds (49%), and timed road closures (48%). However 20% of respondents said they would not support any schemes.

Action: Future public engagement work will consider the reasons behind this response to understand whether this is due to a current lack of awareness about how such schemes will improve air quality and why this is important for health, or whether there are other reasons for this.

This is just the start of the conversation and we will continue gathering views from across Suffolk as we go.

Read the Research Evaluation Report in full: