Modelling Helpdesk

This service is provided on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Scottish Executive, National Assembly for Wales and the Department for the Environment Northern Ireland, under the LAQM Air Quality Support Helpdesk. The service provides free advice to local authorities on:

• Air quality modelling for the purpose of review and assessment of air quality
• The calculation of stack heights for industrial processes which fall under the local air pollution control scheme

Review and Assessment of Air Quality

Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 and Part III of the Environment (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 place a statutory duty on all local authorities throughout the UK to periodically review and assess air quality within their area.  This involves consideration of present and likely future air quality against air quality objectives, established for the protection of human health, set out in the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (AQS). Local authorities work towards achieving the AQS objectives that have been prescribed in regulation through the Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) regime.

Technical Guidance was issued by Defra and the Devolved Administrations, in February 2003, to support local authorities in their review and assessments of air quality;  this was partially updated in December 2005.

 Air quality modelling plays a key role in the review and assessment process.  The LAQM Air Quality Support Helpdesk can provide local authorities further support with this modelling, including the selection and use of dispersion models and the interpretation of modelling results.

Industrial Stack Height Calculations

The service offers advice on the calculation of stack heights for industrial processes which fall under the local air pollution control scheme.  If required, the Helpdesk can also undertake screening model calculations on behalf of local authorities.

Advice on air quality modelling and stack height calculations can be requested  by telephone (24 hour answering service) on 0870 190 6050 or by e-mail at lasupport@aeat.co.uk