Air quality monitoring

The Council has a responsibility to review and assess air quality across the Borough. We have long history of monitoring and delivering initiatives to tackle air quality issues. 

View our latest Quality Annual Status Report

Air Quality Management Areas

We have a statutory duty under the Environment Act 1995 to review and assess the air quality within our Borough. We do this by comparing measured or predicted air pollution levels against the UK National Air Quality Standards. Where pollutant concentrations are higher, an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) is declared and an Air Quality Action Plan is  produced, setting out actions to bring pollutant levels below the target level.

There are currently four AQMAs in Eastleigh Borough:

Monitoring Data

The Council measures air quality using both real time monitors and diffusion tubes.

Monitoring is primarily located within our Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs). The monitoring locations are chosen to target areas where air pollution is expected to be high, areas where members of the public spend an hour or more near busy roads, and areas that represent a background level that is not impacted by road traffic or industrial sources. These monitoring locations give us a picture of the air pollution levels across the Borough.

Real Time Monitors

These monitor continuously and allow us to see changes in pollutant levels as they happen during the course of the day.  They are located at:

  • Southampton Road (nitrogen dioxide)
  • Southampton Road (particulate matter PM10)
  • Steele Close (nitrogen dioxide)
  • The Point (nitrogen dioxide)

View the latest monitoring data from all stations

Diffusion Tubes

These give monthly results and are used for reporting annual averages, examining long term trends and understanding the spread of air pollution. There are over 50 diffusion tubes spread across the Borough. 

View the results from our diffusion tubes