Preston Air Quality 2025Real-Time AURN Monitoring - Lancashire City
Check Preston air quality in real-time with live PM2.5, NOx, ozone monitoring from DEFRA AURN station. Part of Lancashire county network. Expert guide to improving indoor air quality in Preston.
Live Air Quality
Powered by Google Air Quality API โข 100% Free
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ Preston Air Pollution Overview
Preston operates an Automatic Urban and Rural Network (AURN) monitoring station as part of DEFRA's national air quality network. The station provides continuous automatic monitoring of NOx (nitrogen oxides), ozone, and particulates with hourly updates. Preston is part of the Lancashire county monitoring network including Blackpool and Blackburn. The city has no Clean Air Zone implementation.
Key Preston Air Quality Monitoring
- โข AURN Automatic Station: DEFRA national network continuous monitoring
- โข NOx Tracking: Nitrogen oxides (NO + NO2) measured hourly
- โข Ozone & Particulates: Comprehensive pollutant monitoring
- โข Lancashire Network: Regional coordination (Blackpool/Blackburn)
Preston vs UK Air Quality Standards
| Pollutant | WHO Guideline | Preston Monitoring | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 (annual) | 5 ยตg/mยณ | AURN station tracked | Monitored hourly |
| NOx (nitrogen oxides) | Various limits | AURN continuous tracking | Advanced monitoring |
| Ozone (O3) | 100 ยตg/mยณ (8-hour) | AURN station measured | Comprehensive data |
Preston's AURN automatic monitoring station provides advanced air quality data tracking NOx, ozone, and particulates hourly. This is more sophisticated than basic diffusion tube networks used in many cities.
๐บ๏ธ Check Nearby Locations
Compare air quality in nearby areas or explore other UK cities with live monitoring and pollution data.
๐ Preston Air Quality Monitoring Features
1. AURN Automatic Monitoring Station
Technology: DEFRA Automatic Urban and Rural Network continuous monitoring
Preston operates an AURN automatic monitoring station as part of DEFRA's national air quality network. AURN stations use sophisticated equipment providing continuous, real-time measurements of multiple pollutants. This is significantly more advanced than manual diffusion tubes. The station delivers hourly data on NOx, ozone, particulates, and other pollutants, enabling precise air quality tracking.
2. NOx Levels Tracked (Nitrogen Oxides)
Monitoring: Total nitrogen oxides (NO + NO2) measured continuously
The AURN station tracks NOx - the total of nitrogen monoxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). NOx comes from vehicle exhaust, heating systems, and combustion processes. NO2 is the more harmful component, regulated at 40 ยตg/mยณ annual mean. Preston's continuous NOx monitoring enables understanding of pollution sources and trends better than cities relying solely on NO2 diffusion tubes.
3. Ozone and Particulates Monitoring
Pollutants: O3 (ozone), PM2.5, PM10 continuously measured
In addition to NOx, Preston's AURN station monitors ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10). Ozone forms from NOx and VOCs in sunlight, creating secondary pollution. Particulates come from traffic, industry, and domestic burning. This comprehensive monitoring provides complete picture of Preston's air quality - not just individual pollutants but their interactions and patterns throughout the day.
4. Part of Lancashire County Network (Blackpool/Blackburn)
Coordination: Regional Lancashire air quality monitoring collaboration
Preston's AURN station is part of the Lancashire county air quality monitoring network, which includes Blackpool, Blackburn, and other Lancashire authorities. This regional coordination enables better understanding of pollution patterns across Lancashire, identifies cross-boundary pollution sources, and supports collaborative air quality management strategies. Lancashire-wide data helps contextualize Preston's pollution within regional trends.
5. No CAZ Implementation
Status: No Clean Air Zone despite advanced monitoring capability
Despite having sophisticated AURN monitoring capability, Preston has no Clean Air Zone implementation. Nearby Bradford's CAZ achieved 36โ4 violation reduction and 25% decrease in respiratory hospital visits. Preston's AURN data could enable precise CAZ impact measurement if implemented, but the city has chosen a non-charging approach to air quality management. The monitoring provides data without enforcement mechanisms.
๐ Preston Air Quality Monitoring
Preston's AURN automatic monitoring station provides advanced air quality data as part of Lancashire's regional network. The city monitors comprehensively but has no CAZ implementation.
โ Advanced Monitoring
- โข AURN automatic station (DEFRA network)
- โข NOx continuous tracking (NO + NO2)
- โข Ozone and particulates measured
- โข Lancashire regional network collaboration
- โข Hourly real-time data updates
๐ฏ Current Status
- โข No Clean Air Zone (no plans)
- โข Monitoring without charging zone
- โข Lancashire-wide coordination
- โข Data-driven approach to air quality
๐ Protect Your Health: Indoor Air Quality Solutions
Preston's AURN station provides excellent data to inform indoor air quality decisions. Check our monitor (fed by AURN data) before opening windows - the station gives accurate hourly updates of outdoor pollution levels.
Recommended Solutions
- MERV13-16 Air Purifiers: Remove 85-95% of PM2.5, NOx, and ozone pollutants. Target 5-6 air changes per hour (ACH) in bedrooms and living rooms.
- DIY Corsi-Rosenthal Box: Cost-effective solution at ยฃ150-200 using filters from B&Q or Screwfix. Excellent for particulate and NOx filtration.
- Use AURN Data: Preston's AURN station provides hourly updates. Check our monitor before ventilating - only open windows when outdoor pollution is low.
- Ozone Consideration: The AURN station tracks ozone, which can be high on sunny days. Indoor filtration helps reduce ozone exposure from outdoor air.
๐จ Why Indoor Air Filtration Matters in Preston
Preston's AURN automatic monitoring station tracks NOx, ozone, and particulates hourly, providing excellent data on outdoor pollution. Use this data to inform indoor air quality decisions. Indoor filtration provides consistent protection regardless of outdoor fluctuations, particularly important for vulnerable populations and during high pollution episodes identified by AURN monitoring.
Professional MERV13-16 filters for complete indoor air protection