Brighton air quality map

What interesting information about air quality can be seen on the air pollution map for Brighton?

The air pollution map for Brighton is easily accessible from the main city page. The map icon will be found towards the top of that page and by selection, a new page will open which is dedicated to all information about the current state of the air.

Possibly the first thing the viewer will notice is the overall colour of the map. This colouration reflects the present state of the air. Colours can range from pale green to dark maroon where the darker colours indicate worsening air quality. These colours are standard throughout the entire IQAir website.

There are also some coloured discs superimposed across the map. These represent the location of the ground-level air monitoring stations which provide Brighton with its air quality data. If any area is of specific interest, by selecting the disc, a new page will open with specific information about that area of the city.

These discs also display a number at their centre which is the United States Air Quality Index reading or US AQI for short. This figure is calculated by taking the measurements of up to six of the most commonly found pollutants in the city air. They are usually both sizes of Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone and carbon monoxide. It is fully endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is used as a standard when comparing air quality in different areas.

Briefly looking back to the main city page, it can be seen that at the start of December 2022, Brighton was enjoying a period of “Good” air quality with a US AQI reading of just 50. The main pollutant was PM2.5 with a recorded level of 12 µg/m³ which is almost two and a half times higher than the recommended target figure of 5 µg/m³ as suggested by the WHO.

Looking immediately below the air pollution map for Brighton can be seen the number of contributors there are together with the number of stations they operate. Currently, there is only one station controlled and operated by DEFRA (Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs).

What other fascinating information can be found on the air pollution map for Brighton?

There is more fascinating information on this page but in order to see it all, the page needs to be viewed at maximum size. This is easy to achieve by selecting the icon which is found at the top right-hand side of the screen.

Looking at the left-hand side of the screen will be a list of four choices, each of which can be individually turned on or off to get a full idea of the effect each one has.

The first option shows the location of each of the ground-level air monitoring stations there are which provide Brighton with its data. Each one can be selected to reveal detailed information about that area of the city.

The second option shows the location of any wildfires that might be burning in the vicinity, however, in early December 2022, there were no such symbols on the map. If there were, then option four needs to be consulted as it shows the speed and direction of the prevailing winds and might give an indication of where the smoke might blow.

The third option has the power to change the background colour of the map to reflect the current air quality. It is currently a greenish/yellow which average out at “Good” to “Moderate” air quality. If this colouration is confusing then it can be deactivated and the map will revert to a more subdued set of colours which may be easier to understand.

There is more fascinating information on the right-hand side of the screen where a table can be seen that shows the ranking of the seven most polluted cities in the world. If more exploration is required then select the “Full Ranking” button to reveal the rest of the participating cities of the world.

Can areas of higher levels of pollution be detected from the air quality map for Brighton?

Areas of higher air pollution can be identified by looking for the darkest coloured disc or the disc displaying the highest number.

Perhaps the easiest way to find the most polluted station is to scroll down the page underneath the map where a list will be seen that ranks the stations according to their levels of air pollution. The most polluted station currently is at Brighton Preston Park and is showing a US AQI reading of 50, which is “Good”.

Continuing to scroll down the page and the most popular stations will be seen together with the number of followers they have accrued. Brighton Preston Park is the most popular with almost 6,000 loyal followers.

Is the source of air pollution shown on the air quality map for Brighton?

It is not possible to see where the source of air pollution is just by looking at the air quality map for Brighton. It is a known fact though that those levels of nitrogen dioxide are problematic. It primarily gets in the air from the burning of fuel and it forms from emissions from cars, trucks and buses, power plants, and off-road equipment. Nitrogen dioxide along with other oxides of nitrogen reacts with other chemicals in the air to form both particulate matter and ozone. Both of these are also harmful when inhaled due to their effects on the respiratory system.

Breathing air with high levels of nitrogen dioxide irritates the airways and causes discomfort. Even periods of short exposure can exacerbate respiratory problems such as asthma which then leads to coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing. People already susceptible to asthma are at greater health risks when exposed to elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide.

What are the health risks posed by PM2.5?

Particulate matter contains microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small that they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems. Some particles less than 10 micrometres in diameter can penetrate deep into the lungs and some may even get into the bloodstream through the alveoli at the base of the bronchial tubes.

Exposure to such particles can affect both the lungs and the heart. Numerous scientific studies have linked particle pollution exposure to a variety of problems, including premature death in people with heart or lung disease, nonfatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, decreased lung function and increased respiratory symptoms.