Cardiff has recently installed 47 air-quality monitoring stations across the city to measure pollution in the air

The monitors will measure levels of Nitrogen Dioxide and Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and are intended to improve how Cardiff Council measures air pollution and therefore identify problems more quickly and take steps to reduce pollution.
    
The sensors will measure pollution 24 hours a day and the data collected will be reported on the Shared Regulatory Services website.
    
The sensors have been placed in the city’s four Air Quality Monitoring Areas (AQMAs) and more widely across the whole of the city as well, near areas of concern such as schools and health centres.
    
AQMAs have been set up in wards where the annual average of known pollutants is of concern because levels are close to or have historically breached the legal limit. These areas cover the city centre, Stephenson Court (Newport Road), Ely Bridge, and Llandaff.
    
Cllr Dan De’Ath, cabinet member for strategic planning and transport at Cardiff Council said: “Poor air quality is the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK and, after smoking, the second-biggest threat to public health. There is clear evidence to show that exposure to air pollution reduces life expectancy and significantly increases the risk of dying from heart disease, strokes, respiratory diseases, lung cancer and other conditions.
    
“The latest study into air pollution in Cardiff shows that residents enjoyed cleaner air across the city throughout 2021 when compared with pre-pandemic figures in 2019. Although this data is encouraging, there is more work to do. We need to continue to reduce the levels of pollutants. If we want people to be healthier, we have to encourage people to be less reliant on their cars, and to make the shift to public transport, cycling or walking. Not only will it benefit people’s health but will help the city reduce our carbon imprint as we look to combat climate change.”