Air Pollution
Air pollution can have damaging effects on human health and the environment and it is crucial to minimise emissions to the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide, F gases and other gases contribute to global warming, whilst other gases, such as chlorofluorocarbons, destroy the ozone layer.
Air pollution is strictly controlled under environmental law. The BBC therefore requires staff and suppliers to take all reasonable steps to prevent or minimise air pollution. Air pollution may also cause a nuisance (refer to the Environmental Nuisance Standard) and can be reduced through energy efficiency measures (refer to the Energy Standard).
These Air Pollution guidelines establish minimum operating standards that must be applied at all sites and cover the legal issues you must be aware of. If you have any queries relating to this standard then you should contact the Safety Advice Line.
What Can Go Wrong?
- Use of vehicles, plant or equipment
- Use of ozone depleting substances (ODS)
- Use of solvents
Legal/BBC Requirements
- There are no specific legal requirements to draw to your attention, you must still apply the control measures that are relevant to your activity.
Control Measures
General Controls
Pollution prevention measures that you should adopt include:
- Minimising the need for travel and transport, for example by using video conferencing.
- Using cleaner ways of travelling and transporting equipment, such as taking the train instead of flying.
- Turning off vehicles, plant, equipment, heating and air-conditioning when they are not needed and maintaining them in good order.
Key Actions
- Identify activities that will contribute to air pollution through the myRisks assessment process.
- Seek to change or control activities to reduce air pollution.
- Consult with the relevant environmental regulator where necessary to agree air pollution prevention measures.
- Control activities and implement air pollution prevention measures to reduce emissions to air, and monitor their effectiveness.
Division Specific Issues
- No division specific issues.
FAQs/Did You Know?
- No FAQs/Did you know items.
Recommended links
- BBC Workplace - Sustainability [BBC Network only]
- Sustainability(BBC Network only)
Environment topics
Air Pollution
Air pollution can have damaging effects on human health and the environment and it is crucial to minimise emissions to the atmosphere.
Built Environment
In the UK these impacts are controlled by legislation, particularly planning law.
Energy Management
This guidance provides information on energy management associated with BBC activities in order to ensure good environmental practice and compliance with relevant legislation.
Environment on Production and Events
This guidance provides information on how to reduce the risk of environmental incidents, nuisance or legal non-compliance whilst making programmes and running events.
