Air pollution associated with airports

Air quality in the vicinity of airports is examined with particular reference to a detailed study of Gatwick Airport (UK). Ambient air concentrations of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons (total and non-methane), oxides of nitrogen, smoke and airborne particulate lead have been measured at seven locations around the airport. The results obtained have been compared with ambient air quality guidelines, where available, and with results from other monitoring sites in the UK. It is concluded that the airport cannot be considered to be a significantly more important contributor to average pollutant ground-level concentrations than other sources in the area.