A major new Report on air quality in Scotland shows that while there have been dramatic improvements in overall air quality, pollution levels are still unacceptably high in some areas of the country. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is calling for a concerted effort to bring pollution levels down.

The SEPA State of the Environment Air Quality Report shows an overall trend of improving air quality, but highlights some serious concerns, including:

· 1996 statistics show that nitrogen dioxide may have contributed to around 8700 hospital admissions in the UK. Traffic pollution is the major source, and levels have exceeded the UK national air quality standard near busy roads in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen
· low lying ozone can exceed UK air quality standards in many rural areas during sunny weather, at levels likely to damage vegetation
· many lochs in Scotland have been affected by acid deposition. Acidification is a particular problem in the Galloway area
· 'greenhouse gas' emissions are leading to global climate changes. In Scotland, forecasts are for increased temperatures, heavier rain especially in winter, a rise in sea levels and increased storm damage, flooding and coastal erosion

SEPA Chairman Ken Collins is calling for concerted action:

"Clean air is a quality of life issue. Air pollution can have serious impacts on the health of people in Scotland, especially on the most vulnerable members of society. It can also damage our natural environment - the effects of pollution on ecosystems from forests to freshwaters are well known. And it will impact on our future prosperity - tourism is an increasingly important factor in Scotland's economy. Visitors, no less than residents of Scotland, expect to enjoy clean air.

" SEPA is working for a sustainable Scotland. Finding the right balance between the needs of people, the environment and the economy is a difficult one. On one side, we are pressured to protect the environment at all costs, but that could mean putting industry out of business and people out of jobs. On the other we are pressured to regulate industry less rigorously, but that could mean unacceptable levels of environmental pollution.



Contd/

"The Report we are publishing today will stimulate what I hope will be loud, lively and intelligent debate about finding the right balance. These issues need to be well aired in the wide public arena. Air pollution is caused by society - the demands we all make for fuel for our cars and power for our homes, for our businesses and for our industries. For these reasons, we - the members of this society - need to be informed about the issues and involved in finding the right solutions.

"SEPA will take a lead here, and some of the actions we will take are set out in the Report. But action is also needed from the other players too: from Government, from Europe, from industry, pressure groups, local authorities and all the others who have an interest in this important issue. I trust they too will take up the challenge."

1. The SEPA State of the Environment Air Quality Report is being launched in the Town House, Aberdeen on Monday 12 June 2000 at 13:45. * A briefing will be held for accredited members of the press in the Town House at 12 noon. It will be hosted by SEPA Chairman Ken Collins and a number of SEPA experts will be on hand to answer questions. Contact SEPA Public Relationsfor further information.
   
   
2. Copies of the Report will be made available at the press conference. Thereafter, they are available free of charge from SEPA Public Relationsand on the SEPA Website www.sepa.org.uk: - click here
   
   
3. SEPA is the official body responsible for environmental protection in Scotland
   
   

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