Air quality challenge issued to DEFA minister

Boot urged to act

Three members of Tynwald have challenged the environment minister to come clean on air pollution in the Isle of Man.

Bill Henderson MLC, and MHKs Ralph Peake and Bill Shimmins have paid to have their own tests conducted, with the help of Friends of the Earth.

Monitoring six spots around Douglas, they showed nitrogen dioxide levels at the Quarterbridge exceeded the European Union limit of 40μg/m3 in December last year, and were very close to doing so in January this year as well.

The letter adds that it's accepted by scientists and health professionals that exceeding this limit causes serious health damage

They're insisting Mr Boot stop saying the Island's air quality is well within EU limits, and ask that he adopts a more constructive and dilligent approach when dealing with this matter.

Messrs Henderson, Peake and Shimmins have told Mr Boot his refusal to conduct more regular air quality monitoring beyond the current rate of once every two years puts the Island, 'out of step with every other nation in Europe.'

The letter goes on to compare the Isle of Man to the Crown Dependencies, saying the contrast is stark.

It says the States of Jersey conducts real-time daily monitoring in the heart of the capital, St Helier, with the results appearing daily on the government website.

The government there conducts monthly tests at other sites around the island.

Similarly, traffic hot spots are monitored daily in Guernsey, with the results again being available to the public

The trio is once again requesting monthly tests are carried out here.