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Major causes of air pollution

 
In addition to industrial pollution, the major sources of air pollution in Greenwich are vehicle emissions, smoke, smells and dust. If you think there is a problem with the air around your area, report it.

Vehicle emissions

Exhaust from vehicles is the biggest source of air pollution in London. To improve emissions from traffic we:

  • hold open days where people can have their vehicle emissions checked and receive advice
  • check all Council vehicles.
Along with the Vehicle Inspectorate, Police and other London boroughs we are involved in the assessment of vehicle pollution at spot-checks.

Smoke

Greenwich is a smoke-control zone, meaning that smoky fuels are banned and furnaces, chimneys and industrial processes are monitored carefully.

As the borough is a smoke control area you won’t see smoke coming from domestic chimneys. If you do, please report it.

Most properties use gas for heating and hot water and this is a very clean fuel. Others are linked to district heating schemes using large central boiler houses. Authorised appliances must be used to burn solid fuels such as coal, coke and wood. 

Smoke and smells from bonfires and barbecues are a serious pollution problem. Find out how to avoid smoky and smelly barbecues.

Smells (odours)

Smells can come from industry, local shops and businesses. Download our advice on small scale ventilation systems.

Defra also provides some useful advice on commercial kitchen exhaust systems (and related photographs).

Domestic properties can cause problems with smelly barbecues. Find out how to avoid smoky and smelly barbecues.

Dust

Dust pollution comes mainly from the construction industry and related processes, such as concrete crushing, cement batching and road stone plants. Construction firms are required to minimise dust by working carefully at construction sites.

More about construction pollution.

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