The Public Protection Division continuously monitors air quality at the two sites in Islington shown as green dots on the map at the top right of this page.  The Upper Street site represents the Urban Background, and the results are indicative of the air quality experienced by the majority of Islington residents for most of the time.  The results at the Roadside site on Holloway Road are indicative of the worst conditions in Islington.
The air pollution levels in July were low, and the National Air Quality Standard threshold was not exceeded for any of the pollutants measured.  The weather in July was typical for the month statistically. A hot thundery first week was followed by cool wet unsettled conditions during the middle fortnight, with some heavy downpours later. The last week saw dry, sunny, hot weather almost everywhere for most of the time.

Recently the Government has changed the way in which it provides its air pollution public information service. Information on air pollution is available on teletext (pages 155 and 169) freephone 0800 556677 and on the internet via the National Air Quality Information Archive Bulletin System at http://www.aeat.co.uk/netcen/airqual.  A summary of the main services are given below.

The four bands have been retained and a 1-10 index has been added to provide more detail about air pollution levels but in a simple way, similar to the sun index or pollen index.   1-3 (Low)   4-6 (Moderate)   7-9 (High)   10 (Very High)

Current Air Pollution Levels: The teletext, internet and freephone messages have been simplified to report current hourly pollution levels against the new index for each UK region and country at three area types e.g:  in towns and cities near busier roads, elsewhere in towns and cities, and in rural areas.

Air Pollution Forecasts: The teletext, internet and freephone messages have been simplified to report forecasts against the new index for each UK region and country at the three area types as given above.
A summary of the 24-hour national forecast continues to give information on which UK region or country air pollution is expected to be 7-9 (HIGH) or 10 (VERY HIGH).

Air Pollutants: The teletext, internet and freephone messages will report hourly information on: 
     Nitrogen dioxide,  Sulphur dioxide,   Ozone,   Particles (PM₁₀) and  Carbon monoxide
Health Advice: Two new teletext pages (pages 155 and 169) have been added to give more advice on air pollution and health, similar to guidance on the freephone.

Freephone Service 0800 556677: streamlined messages give 4 options:   Current levels and forecasts, Health information,     Other sources of air pollution information, and  Air pollution in other UK regions and countries
A shortcut option has been added to allow you to go straight to current levels to speed delivery to regular callers.

European Air Quality Directive: Alert Threshold Information: New messages have been added to teletext, internet and freephone which will appear if air pollution levels go above European Directive alert thresholds for sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.  These will report where and when exceedances occurred and their likely cause, give a forecast of levels and specific health advice to sensitive people in the area affected.