Air quality on the agenda in Swansea

Swansea Council's pollution control officer has said more than 200 sites in the city are currently undergoing air monitoring tests.

Speaking to the BBC, Huw Morgan described air quality as "probably the most important environmental health issue around in the UK at the moment".

His made his comments after it emerged that pollution in the air exceeds the recommended level in three areas of the south Wales city, which have now been designated Air Quality Management Areas.

Two new zones - in central Sketty and Fforestfach - have joined Hafod on the list of Swansea districts where air quality must be closely monitored by the authorities.

Overall, 32 areas in Wales are currently being managed in this way, the news provider reported.

"All councils in the UK have to assess their area for air quality," Mr Morgan added.

A recent report from research firm DrivenData suggested that the motoring industry is working to address air quality issues, as the average level of CO2 emissions produced by a new car has fallen by 5.6 per cent over the last year.

Posted by Claire Manning