Our commitment to air quality
We are committed to making sure that people throughout the borough have clean air to breathe. We assess the air quality within the borough through a system of Local Air Quality Management (LAQM). This requires us to assess air quality against seven pollutants. These are:
- Nitrogen dioxide
- Sulphur dioxide
- Carbon monoxide
- PM10
- Benzene
- 1,3-Butadiene
- Lead
For further information on the causes of air pollution and types of pollutants, visit the DEFRA website.
Since 1 July 2007, all enclosed public places in England became smoke-free. To find out more, visit Smoke-free Wandsworth.
How we manage air quality
The borough was declared an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) because it exceeded the permissible amount of air quality for Nitrogen Dioxide and bits of matter known as 'particulates'.
Find out what we are doing to manage air quality.
Air quality alerts
Sign up to AirTEXT to receive free air quality alerts.
airTEXT alerts and 3-day forecasts of air quality, pollen, UV and temperature can help reduce the effect of pollution on you or someone you look after. The service is particularly useful for people who suffer from illnesses such as asthma, emphysema, heart disease, bronchitis, COPD and angina.
Data
Our current air quality data can be viewed through the London Air Quality Network (LAQN).
The LAQN is managed by King's College London's Environmental Research Group, and records pollution monitoring across London.
Live air quality data can be found at the Breathe London Network run by the Environmental Research Group at Imperial College London.
We operate air quality monitoring stations in the borough and publish data in review and assessment reports. The latest report is the Air Quality Annual Status Report for 2022. It reports on data for the calendar year 2022 that was approved and accepted by the Greater London Authority in August 2023. On the basis of the information provided in the report, the Council maintained it's Cleaner Air Borough Status.
Planning applications
The Wandsworth Air Quality Guidance and Flowchart gives details of the current air quality documents to be submitted in preparation of a planning application.