Plymouth Air Quality 2025Real-Time Monitor - AQMA Revoked Success
Check Plymouth air quality in real-time with live PM2.5, NO2 monitoring. AQMA revoked October 31, 2024 after meeting all objectives. PM2.5 9-12 µg/m³. Expert guide to improving indoor air quality in Plymouth.
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⚓ Plymouth Air Pollution Overview
Plymouth's AQMA was revoked on October 31, 2024 after meeting all national NO2 and PM air quality objectives in 2023 - a major success for the South Coast maritime city. Current PM2.5 levels are 9-12 µg/m³, above WHO's 5 µg/m³ guideline but within UK objectives. A new Air Quality Strategy is being written to maintain compliance and address remaining challenges. Plymouth's maritime port city characteristics require continued monitoring and targeted interventions.
Key Plymouth Air Quality Achievement
- • AQMA Revoked Oct 31, 2024: Objectives achieved (success)
- • Met All National Objectives 2023: NO2 and PM compliance
- • PM2.5 9-12 µg/m³: Current levels (above WHO 5 µg/m³)
- • Air Quality Strategy: Being written post-revocation
Plymouth vs UK Air Quality Standards
| Pollutant | WHO Guideline | Plymouth Level | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 (annual) | 5 µg/m³ | 9-12 µg/m³ (current) | Above WHO |
| NO₂ (annual) | 40 µg/m³ (UK legal limit) | Met all objectives 2023 | Compliant |
| AQMA Status | Minimize AQMAs | Revoked Oct 31, 2024 | SUCCESS |
Plymouth's AQMA revocation (Oct 31, 2024) demonstrates sustained NO2 and PM objective compliance. PM2.5 9-12 µg/m³ is above WHO guideline but within UK standards. New Strategy being written.
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🎯 Plymouth AQMA Revocation & Future Strategy
1. AQMA Revoked Oct 31, 2024 (Objectives Achieved)
Success: AQMA eliminated after meeting all air quality objectives
Plymouth's AQMA was revoked on October 31, 2024 after the city met all national NO2 and PM air quality objectives in 2023. This success mirrors Cambridge's January 2025 revocation and demonstrates how sustained interventions achieve long-term compliance. The revocation means Plymouth no longer has any active AQMAs, unlike cities still struggling with multiple designations (Northampton's 7 AQMAs, Gloucester's 3 AQMAs).
2. Met All National NO2 and PM Objectives 2023
Compliance: NO2 below 40 µg/m³, PM objectives achieved
In 2023, Plymouth met all national air quality objectives for both NO2 (below 40 µg/m³ legal limit) and particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5). This comprehensive compliance across pollutants enabled AQMA revocation (Oct 31, 2024). The achievement came through cleaner vehicle fleets, traffic management, and natural emission reductions as older vehicles were replaced with Euro 6/compliant models. Unlike cities requiring CAZ charges (Bradford, Birmingham), Plymouth succeeded through gradual improvements.
3. PM2.5 9-12 µg/m³ Current
Levels: PM2.5 9-12 µg/m³ (above WHO 5 µg/m³ but UK compliant)
Current PM2.5 levels in Plymouth are 9-12 µg/m³ - above WHO's strict 5 µg/m³ guideline but within UK national objectives (25 µg/m³ annual mean). This is similar to Brighton (6-11 µg/m³) and better than Milton Keynes (15 µg/m³, 2.4× WHO). Maritime port city characteristics contribute to PM2.5 from shipping, vehicles, and sea salt. The new Air Quality Strategy will address how Plymouth works toward WHO-aligned PM2.5 targets.
4. Air Quality Strategy Being Written
Planning: New Strategy to maintain compliance and address challenges
Following AQMA revocation (Oct 31, 2024), Plymouth is writing a new Air Quality Strategy to maintain NO2 compliance and address remaining PM2.5 challenges. The Strategy will outline how Plymouth sustains improvements without AQMA designation while working toward WHO-aligned targets. Similar to Cambridge's 20 µg/m³ NO2 target by 2029, Plymouth's Strategy may set ambitious beyond-compliance goals for South Coast air quality leadership.
5. Maritime Port City Considerations
Context: Port operations influencing air quality management
As a maritime port city, Plymouth faces unique air quality challenges from shipping emissions, port operations, and maritime traffic. Port-related pollution affects PM2.5 levels (9-12 µg/m³) and requires specialized interventions beyond road traffic measures. Similar to Hull's port challenges (128 deaths annually, PM2.5 highest after Leeds), Plymouth must balance economic port operations with air quality protection. The new Strategy will address maritime pollution sources.
📈 Plymouth Air Quality Success & Future
Plymouth's AQMA revocation (Oct 31, 2024) demonstrates comprehensive air quality success. New Strategy will maintain compliance and address PM2.5 toward WHO targets.
✅ Major Achievement
- • AQMA revoked Oct 31, 2024
- • Met all NO2 and PM objectives 2023
- • No active AQMAs (eliminated)
- • Sustained compliance achieved
🎯 Future Focus
- • Air Quality Strategy being written
- • PM2.5 9-12 µg/m³ toward WHO 5 µg/m³
- • Maritime port considerations
- • Maintain NO2 compliance
🏠 Protect Your Health: Indoor Air Quality Solutions
While Plymouth achieved AQMA revocation (Oct 31, 2024), PM2.5 levels of 9-12 µg/m³ still exceed WHO's 5 µg/m³ guideline. Maritime port city characteristics require continued indoor air protection.
Recommended Solutions
- MERV13-16 Air Purifiers: Remove 85-95% of PM2.5 and remaining pollution. 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. Excellent for port city PM2.5 filtration.
- Maritime Considerations: Port operations contribute to PM2.5 (9-12 µg/m³). Indoor filtration protects from shipping emissions and maritime pollution sources.
- Sustained Protection: AQMA revocation demonstrates outdoor compliance, but indoor filtration ensures complete protection toward WHO's 5 µg/m³ PM2.5 guideline.
💨 Why Indoor Air Filtration Matters in Plymouth
Plymouth's AQMA revocation (Oct 31, 2024) is a major success, but PM2.5 levels of 9-12 µg/m³ remain above WHO's 5 µg/m³ guideline. As a maritime port city, Plymouth faces ongoing pollution from shipping and port operations. Indoor air filtration provides 24/7 health protection while the new Air Quality Strategy addresses remaining challenges. Essential for vulnerable populations and those with respiratory conditions.
Professional MERV13-16 filters for Plymouth's maritime port city air quality protection