Ipswich Air Quality 2025Real-Time Monitor - AQMA Revocations Success
Check Ipswich air quality in real-time with live PM2.5, NO2 monitoring. AQMA No.4 revoked August 2021, No.1 revoked January 2025. 4 AQMAs still active (as of 2024). Ranked 3rd worst in England for PM2.5 in 2015 - now significantly improved. Expert guide to improving indoor air quality in Ipswich.
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🏴 Ipswich Air Pollution Overview
Ipswich has achieved 2 AQMA revocations: No.4 revoked August 2021 after demonstrating no NO2 exceedances, and No.1 revoked January 2025 due to improvements. 4 AQMAs remain active as of 2024 requiring continued interventions. Ipswich was ranked 3rd worst in England for PM2.5 in 2015 but has significantly improved since. PM2.5 is within UK 25 µg/m³ limit but 5.3× WHO annual guideline, indicating progress but remaining challenges.
Key Ipswich Air Quality Progress & Challenges
- • 2 AQMAs Revoked: No.4 (Aug 2021), No.1 (Jan 2025) - improvements achieved
- • 4 AQMAs Active (2024): Ongoing work on remaining hotspots
- • Improved from 3rd Worst (2015): Significant PM2.5 progress
- • PM2.5 5.3× WHO Guideline: Within UK limit, above WHO target
Ipswich vs UK Air Quality Standards
| Pollutant | WHO Guideline | Ipswich Status | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 (annual) | 5 µg/m³ | Within UK 25 µg/m³ but 5.3× WHO | Above WHO |
| NO₂ (annual) | 40 µg/m³ (UK legal limit) | 4 AQMAs active (2024) | 4 hotspots |
| Progress | Improvement | 2 AQMAs revoked, improved from 3rd worst (2015) | Significant progress |
Ipswich has made significant progress: 2 AQMAs revoked (No.4 Aug 2021, No.1 Jan 2025), improved from 3rd worst PM2.5 (2015). 4 AQMAs remain, PM2.5 5.3× WHO guideline.
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📈 Ipswich Air Quality Improvements & Remaining Challenges
1. AQMA No.4 Revoked Aug 2021 - No NO2 Exceedances
Success: First AQMA revoked after achieving compliance
Ipswich AQMA No.4 was revoked in August 2021 after demonstrating no NO2 exceedances - the area achieved and maintained pollution levels below the 40 µg/m³ legal limit. This first revocation showed that targeted interventions could successfully reduce pollution enabling AQMA elimination. The August 2021 revocation demonstrated Ipswich's capacity to improve air quality through effective management, setting precedent for the second revocation (No.1, January 2025).
2. AQMA No.1 Revoked Jan 2025 - Due to Improvements
Achievement: Second AQMA revoked showing continued progress
AQMA No.1 was revoked in January 2025 due to continued improvements - pollution levels fell and remained below legal limits enabling revocation. This second AQMA revocation (following No.4 in Aug 2021) demonstrates sustained air quality progress. Similar to Cambridge's January 2025 AQMA revocation (after 5 years compliance) and Plymouth's October 2024 success, Ipswich proved improvements could be maintained. The January 2025 timing shows recent achievement of compliance standards.
3. 4 AQMAs Still Active (as of 2024)
Challenge: Remaining hotspots requiring continued work
As of 2024, Ipswich has 4 active Air Quality Management Areas where NO2 still exceeds the 40 µg/m³ annual objective. While 2 AQMAs have been revoked (No.4 Aug 2021, No.1 Jan 2025), these 4 remaining designated areas require continued targeted interventions. The reduction from 6 to 4 AQMAs demonstrates progress, but the 4 active designations show work remains. Similar to Northampton's 7 AQMAs or Gloucester's 3, multiple active AQMAs indicate localized pollution challenges requiring specific solutions.
4. Ranked 3rd Worst in England for PM2.5 in 2015 - Now Significantly Improved
Progress: Major PM2.5 improvement from 3rd worst ranking
In 2015, Ipswich ranked 3rd worst in England for PM2.5 pollution - a concerning distinction. Since then, Ipswich has achieved significant improvement through cleaner vehicle standards (Euro 6), traffic management, reduced industrial emissions, and targeted interventions. While PM2.5 remains 5.3× WHO's annual guideline, the dramatic improvement from 3rd-worst ranking demonstrates major progress. This transformation mirrors other cities achieving air quality turnarounds through sustained effort.
5. PM2.5 Within UK 25 µg/m³ Limit But 5.3× WHO Annual Guideline
Status: UK compliant but above WHO health-protective standard
Ipswich PM2.5 is within UK's 25 µg/m³ legal limit (showing compliance with national standards) but remains 5.3 times WHO's annual guideline of 5 µg/m³. This indicates ~26.5 µg/m³ PM2.5 - just meeting UK requirements but well above WHO's health-protective standard. The 5.3× WHO ratio is concerning for health impacts, particularly for vulnerable populations. While improved from 2015's 3rd-worst ranking, Ipswich requires further PM2.5 reduction to approach WHO guidelines like Norwich (4 µg/m³) or Swansea (4-6 µg/m³).
📊 Ipswich Air Quality Progress Summary
Ipswich demonstrates significant progress (2 AQMAs revoked, improved from 3rd worst 2015) but ongoing challenges (4 AQMAs active, PM2.5 5.3× WHO).
✅ Major Achievements
- • AQMA No.4 revoked (Aug 2021)
- • AQMA No.1 revoked (Jan 2025)
- • Improved from 3rd worst PM2.5 (2015)
- • PM2.5 within UK 25 µg/m³ limit
🎯 Remaining Work
- • 4 AQMAs still active (2024)
- • PM2.5 5.3× WHO guideline
- • NO2 hotspots require interventions
- • Further PM2.5 reduction needed
🏠 Protect Your Health: Indoor Air Quality Solutions
While Ipswich improved from 2015's 3rd worst ranking, PM2.5 remains 5.3× WHO guideline. Indoor filtration is essential near 4 active AQMAs.
Recommended Solutions
- MERV13-16 Air Purifiers: Remove 85-95% of PM2.5 and NO2 pollutants. Target 5-6 air changes per hour (ACH) in bedrooms and living rooms.
- DIY Corsi-Rosenthal Box: Cost-effective solution at £150-200 using filters from B&Q or Screwfix. Essential for homes near 4 active AQMAs.
- PM2.5 Protection: PM2.5 5.3× WHO guideline requires year-round indoor filtration, especially important for children, elderly, respiratory conditions.
- AQMA Considerations: Homes in 4 active AQMAs face elevated NO2 - indoor filtration provides 24/7 protection.
💨 Why Indoor Air Filtration Matters in Ipswich
Ipswich's significant progress (2 AQMAs revoked, improved from 3rd worst PM2.5 in 2015) is commendable, but PM2.5 remains 5.3× WHO's health-protective 5 µg/m³ guideline. With 4 active AQMAs showing NO2 exceedances, indoor air filtration provides essential 24/7 protection from both PM2.5 and NO2. Particularly critical for vulnerable populations and those living near the 4 remaining AQMA hotspots.
Professional MERV13-16 filters for Ipswich's comprehensive air quality protection