11:45am Friday 12th March 2010
By Hannah Upton
LANCASHIRE’S polluted air was once as familiar a sight as the chimneys that pumped fumes into the air.
But experts say times have changed and we are ‘fortunate’ in Lancashire to already live in an area of largely clean, crisp fresh air.
The National Trust has produced bottled air from Lake District after a survey showed 72 per cent of people suffering from stress were helped by contact with fresh air.
The jars have been sent to workers in the city of London and are also available on the trust’s website, but there is unlikely to be much demand in Lancashire.
All councils have to record levels of poisonous gas nitrogen dioxide, which can cause lung damage, and send them to the Government to ensure hotspots are tackled.
In London, sites regularly top the target level of 40 microgrammes per cubic metre of air, with some places in Richmond hitting a reading of 70.
In the latest figures Lancashire’s worst reading was 53.15 recorded in Pendle, with most most levels between 20-30 mcg.
In Hyndburn, only one out of 14 test areas showed levels above the national target.
This was beside the Hare and Hounds in Clayton-le-Moors, where the reading was 44.2.
The lowest reading in the borough was 12.5, recorded in Fielding Lane, Oswaldtwistle.
In the Ribble Valley, seven locations were tested, with again only one location failing to meet the standard.
This was a location near the Royal British Legion building in Whalley Road, Clitheroe, where the reading was 44.52.
The lowest recording came in at 16.36 at Black Carr Lane.
Forty-six sites in Blackburn with Darwen were tested, with nine failing to meet the target.
The worst level shown was 45.5 at Stopes Brow. The best result was 19.2 seen in Hawkshead Close, Blackburn.
Brian Jackson of Pendle Friends of The Earth group said: “We’re pretty fortunate around here in comparison with other places, but there are obviously local factors affecting results like factory emissions and heavy traffic.”
Social security officer Phil Bowden, 33, of Commercial Street, Loveclough, said: “I work on a busy junction so the air isn’t great on a hot day. For fresh air I go to the coast or Pendle.”
Retired Pearlie MacKenzie, 65, of Richmond Road, Accrington, said: “There’s not much difference from other towns, with the traffic. I walk to Clitheroe or Belthorn for clean air.”
Hair stylist Jaimee Knight, 19, of Griffin Street, Blackburn said: “It’s a mixture around here with the traffic in the centre. It could be cleaner. There’s nice fresh air in Witton Park near where I live.”
Pensioner Rodney Spencer, of Colne, said: “I shop in Burnley but the air in Colne seems cleaner, because it’s high up. With all the traffic, you can feel the pollution on a warm day.”
Teacher Edward Blake, 62, of Manchester Road, Baxenden, said: “The air is quite good. I’m from Manchester and it’s much worse. I take my dog on some lovely walks where the air is good.”
Unemployed Ron Walsh, 58, of Hilton Road, Darwen, said: “The air quality is horrible in Blackburn because of the traffic. At least two people have to share a car. I go up on Darwen Moors for fresh air.”
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