Learn More: What Causes Air Pollution?

Air pollution was originally considered as a problem mainly associated with domestic heating and industrial emissions, which are now controllable to a great extent. Despite significant improvements in fuel and engine technology, our environment is mostly dominated by traffic emissions.

Summer smog

Winter smog

(Images courtesy of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Motor vehicles are the main source of air pollution in Sussex, with poorly maintained cars and congested traffic causing a large proportion of the emissions. As a result, the air we breathe contains a cocktail of pollutants. Locally the main concerns are about ozone, particulates and nitrogen dioxide.

Levels of air pollution can be influenced by:

• local landscape features and surroundings
• local and regional sources of pollution
• seasonal variations and prevailing conditions

Air pollution episodes are generally associated with low wind conditions. Ozone episodes usually occur on hot, sunny and relatively still summer days. Ozone levels in Sussex are amongst the highest recorded in the UK, because of the relatively sunny and warm weather conditions prevailing in the region. Emissions from continental Europe are also thought to contribute to the relatively high ozone levels observed in our region. In Sussex, health standards are usually exceeded for ozone on 30-40 days in summer each year.