Air quality monitoring

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) and Particle monitoring

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) is measured (in micrograms/m3 (per metre cube)) in real time at Beresford Street and at 20 sites around the Island using passive diffusion tubes which are sent off monthly to the UK for analysis. Diffusion tubes are also used to measure 4 VOC's (Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl Benzene and Xylene) at 5 other sites around the Island.

Particles (also known as particulate matter) are categorised as: 

• total suspended particles TSPs
• PM10
  
• PM2.5

They're measured in real time at Beresford Street in St Helier in micrograms/m3. A second unit measures background particle levels in Howard Davis Park.

NO2, VOCs and Particles are associated with traffic emissions and are potentially hazardous to health. Air quality in Jersey is generally good however there are increased levels of air pollution at hotspots such as in the tunnel and areas prone to congestion.

The Natural Environment Department are trialling a number of low cost sensors (that measure NO2, Ozone O3, Particles (PM10 and PM2.5) and temperature and humidity) to determine if they are suitable for our needs. We hope in the future to provide a number of sensors around Jersey to provide real time data to allow the public to make informed decisions around whether to travel or not.

Data from the Departments real time particle analysers are shown in the graphs below. The data shown covers the latest 24 hours of reporting.

The results and analysis of this monitoring is published annually in a report by UK consultants Ricardo, Energy and Environment see the Air Quality Monitoring report 2021. 

Air Quality Index - PM₁₀ Particles

Beresford Street 

Osiris PM monitor

The Osiris PM monitor from the market has been sent for its annual calibration in the UK.

Howard Davis Park

This unit is a background monitor and is sited within the park so monitors particles from non-traffic sources such as sea salt, sand, biological moulds and spores which are larger than PM2.5s.

View further real-time air quality data monitoring at our monitoring sites on the AirQWeb and on our air pollution monitoring.

Apps

Download the AirQApp application that displays results from environment sensors that collect particle levels in Jersey.

Air quality reports and documents

The Government of Jersey publishes air quality reports annually which can be found below along with Jerseys Air Quality Strategy 2012, which sets out targets and objectives aimed at maintaining or improving the Air Quality on the Island and the Air Quality Project Plan which details more specifically what actions are planned over the coming years. These documents need updating and should complement the Climate Change Strategy, Carbon Roadmap, Sustainable Transport Plan and Bridging Island Plan. 

Report on Turnkey Osiris particle results - Halkett Place and Howard Davis Park sites

Air Quality Strategy 2012​​

Jersey Air Quality Project Plan

Historical monitoring

Jersey’s air quality outside the home is generally very good. We’ve been assessing and reporting on the quality of Island air since 1997 and annual reports are available. 

Air quality monitoring in Jersey 2021