Updated: Sunday, July 20, 2008, 3:15 PM
Elmbridge air pollutant information is automatically collected four times each day (09:15, 12:15, 15:15 and 18:15), from the following air quality monitoring sites:
This information is then made available on our website at 09:45, 12.45, 15.45 and 18.45 respectively, and can be found displayed in the table below. (Note: These times are Greenwich Mean Time (UTC), therefore, in summer the data will be updated one hour later.)
Due to the nature of the technology that updates the information from individual monitoring sites, there may be times when the data is not uploaded. Although this is regularly checked, if it continues for an extended period please let us know either by emailor telephone 01372 474750.
The Bell Farm School fine particles filter is changed on a 2-monthly cycle - at the beginning or end of a month.
Dont be alarmed if on these occasions a very high reading is displayed. This is due to the equipment having to reset and it should stabilise within a couple of days.
The Department of Environment, Food and the Rural Affairs (DEFRA) have devised a system for describing pollution levels
The Air Pollution Bandings are indicated as:
 |
|
| LOW MODERATE HIGH VERY HIGH |
| Location | Pollutant | Time | Value | DEFRA Banding | Indicator |
| Bell Farm CJ School | Ozone | 3:00 PM | 35 ppb | LOW (3) |  |
| Bell Farm CJ School | Sulphur Dioxide | 3:00 PM | 2 ppb | LOW (1) |  |
| Bell Farm CJ School | Carbon Monoxide | 3:00 PM | 0.0 ppm | LOW (1) | |
| Bell Farm CJ School | Nitrogen Dioxide | 3:00 PM | 1 ppb | LOW (1) | |
| Bell Farm CJ School | Fine Particles | 3:00 PM | 12 µg/m3 | LOW (1) | |
| Esher High Street | Nitrogen Dioxide | 3:00 PM | 14 ppb | LOW (1) | |
| Hampton Court | Nitrogen Dioxide | 3:00 PM | 3 ppb | LOW (1) | |
Last Updated: Sunday, July 20, 2008, 3:15 PM
Key
ppb means parts per billion
ppm means parts per million
ug/m3 means micrograms per cubic metre
The bands for air pollution can be summarised as:
| Band | Index | Health Descriptor |
| LOW | 1, 2, 3 | Effects are unlikely to be noticed by individuals who know they are sensitive to air pollutants. |
| MODERATE | 4, 5, 6 | Mild effects unlikely to require action may be noticed amongst sensitive individuals. |
| HIGH | 7, 8, 9 | Significant effects may be noticed by sensitive individuals and action to avoid or reduce these effects may be needed (e.g. reducing exposure by spending less time in polluted areas outdoors). Asthmatics will find that their "reliever" inhaler is likely to reverse the effects on the lung. |
| VERY HIGH | 10 | The effects on sensitive individuals described for "HIGH" levels of pollution may worsen. |