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BOC Immingham Dissolved Acetylene Project Environmental Statement: Vol. 2 Main Text
6. Air Quality
Introduction
6.1 This Chapter describes the potential effects of the Dissolved Acetylene Project on air quality. It
considers direct and indirect emissions of air pollutants, during the construction and operational
phases. It also includes a discussion of relevant legislation and policy, significance criteria,
baseline air quality, sensitive receptors, impact assessment methodology and results, mitigation
measures and residual effects. Cumulative impacts and potential combinations of various effects
due to other planned developments are discussed separately in Chapter 16.
6.2 The Scoping Report 3 for the Project concluded that the only potential air quality impact associated
with the Dissolved Acetylene Project that required further assessment in the ES was that of
construction and operational traffic. Atmospheric dispersion modelling of process emissions was
found not to be required, as the quantities of process emissions were small and were ‘screened
out’ using the EA’s H1 procedure. The scoping report also concluded that no further assessment
was required for construction dust emissions due to use of best practice and the distance to the
closest sensitive receptors.
6.3 This Chapter updates the description of baseline air quality, summarises the findings of the
previously undertaken construction dust assessment, considers potential effects on local air
quality of transport-related emissions of oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter, uses the latest
information on process emissions to update the H1 assessment and looks at the potential for
fugitive emissions of dust and odour during operation. In producing this ES Chapter, consultees’
comments have been considered; in particular, specific consideration of the potential for effects on
designated habitats is now included.
6.4 The remainder of this Chapter is set out as follows:
� ‘Legislation and Policy’ describes the relevant air quality criteria, the local authority role in
air quality management and relevant planning guidance, applicable European legislation,
the UK regulatory regime and EA guidance;
� ‘Assessment Methodology and Significance Criteria’ provides an overview of the approach
adopted with regard to the assessment of construction and operational factors;
� ‘Baseline Description’ evaluates existing ambient air quality as documented in local
authority and national monitoring network reports, and provides background pollutant
concentrations. Local meteorological data are also described;
� ‘Identification of Potential Impacts’ summarises the main potential effects on air quality that
may arise as a result of construction and operation of the development;
� ‘Impact Assessment’ presents the evaluation of the potential effects of the proposals on
human health and ecological receptors;
� ‘Mitigation Measures’ describes any measures proposed to control pollutant emissions (as
necessary); and
� ‘Summary’ summarises the findings of the assessment.
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