In a number of national surveys of environmental quality, Merseyside has been identified as having very poor air quality.

The major pollutants are Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and particles less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10).

In parts of Liverpool the level of NOx is so high that the Air Quality Objectives of the National Air Quality Strategy are not being met. In order to try and address this problem Liverpool City Council have declared two Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA’s). The main source of NOx is road transport and principally diesel engined vehicles. You can help to reduce the problems of air quality by choosing more sustainable forms of transport such as walking, cycling, public transport and low emissions vehicles. This high level of motor vehicle pollution arises in spite of Liverpool having a low level of car ownership 'around 40% of households do not have access to a car'. If you would like to know more about the AQMA’s see Liverpool City Council- Air Quality for more information.