Air quality

Find out about air quality and causes of air pollution.

Monitoring and managing air pollution

We monitor air pollution across Cumberland, including:

  • nitrogen dioxide from vehicles and industry
  • particulate matter and sulphur dioxide in smoke control areas

We use diffusion tubes and continuous analysers to track pollution levels.

How we reduce air pollution

We take action by:

  • encouraging cleaner travel
  • reducing pollution from new developments through planning
  • investigating complaints
  • regulating permitted industrial and commercial processes under the Clean Air act and Environmental Protection Act 1990

Some premises must be authorised to operate. This information is available on our public register.

Visit the UK Air DEFRA website for the national data.