Outdoor air quality
Outdoor air quality is affected by pollution that comes from many different sources in both cities and rural areas.
Our dashboard shows current and projected future levels of air and noise pollution in Barnet and potential health impact on residents.
Sources of outdoor air pollution:
- driving a motor vehicle – these mainly produce nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
- combustion from power generation
- household burning, like wood fires – these produce particulate matter (PM)
- dust from construction and demolition
- fumes from industrial industries
- non-road transport (e.g. trains)
- farming
Road transport is the greatest contributor to outdoor air pollution in Barnet. In 2019 cars were responsible for producing 431 tonnes of pollutant emissions in Barnet. This is around the same weight as 65 elephants.
Some travel networks make it hard to avoid major roads and the pollution caused by cars. Reducing vehicle use has become an important way of reducing outdoor air pollution.
The Mayor of London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion began on 29 August 2023.
Engine idling
Engine idling (keeping a car engine running while stationary) makes air quality worse for people outside, but especially the driver.
If every vehicle in London idled for just one minute, it would take 66 UK broadleaf trees 100 years to absorb all the carbon dioxide released (Transport Research Foundation, 2015).
For more information on the impact of idling, visit Idling Action London.
Get more information on outdoor air quality at the Clean Air Hub