Sustainability Report 2009/10

Air Quality

Airport activities give rise to a range of emissions that affect local air quality. Those of most concern are:

• Oxides of nitrogen (NO_x). These include nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), which can cause irritation to people's respiratory tracts, particularly for those that already suffer from asthma or other breathing problems.
• Particulate matter (PM₁₀). These are very small particles of a range of materials that can be inhaled into the lungs. There they can cause inflammation that is problematic to people with heart or lung conditions.
• Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC). This covers a group of chemical compounds, including benzene. Benzene is toxic and a carcinogen that is released when fuel evaporates or is burned.
• Sulphur dioxide (SO₂). This gas is created when fossil fuels are burned and can cause respiratory problems.
• Carbon monoxide (CO). Also produced when fossil fuels are burned, carbon monoxide is highly toxic.

The main sources of these emissions are aircraft, local road traffic and airport vehicles.